Mad D
Starter
http://www.suntimes.com/output/bulls/cst-spt-bull042.html
Scottie Pippen will not be at the Berto Center today when the Bulls officially open training camp with media day. The 17-year veteran, who led the Bulls to six NBA championships, is expected to announce his retirement Tuesday.
Pippen, 39, has one year worth $5 million left on the two-year deal he signed last year. The seven-time All-Star previously told the Chicago Sun-Times he will not waive that salary, forcing the Bulls to buy out the final year and take a salary-cap hit. Pippen's retirement opens a roster spot, making it easier for operations chief John Paxson to trim a 20-man roster to 15.
Veteran power forward Gary Trent signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract on Friday while Kendall Gill will use his unrestricted free agency to try to sign with a contender or retire. Third-year forward Chris Jefferies will be traded or waived.
Since the Bulls aren't planning a news conference Tuesday, Pippen simply may retire through a press release or by scheduling his own news conference. The Bulls also aren't expected to retain Pippen in any front-office capacity. But they plan to retire his jersey this season at a time to be announced. Injuries limited Pippen to playing just 23 games last season. ''He was holding out on announcing his retirement because he was hoping to get a chance to end his career coming off the bench for a contender,'' a close friend said. ''He feels he can still contribute playing limited minutes on a better team that would not need him to play as much. But since nobody else has expressed interest, he's going to call it quits.''
Scottie Pippen will not be at the Berto Center today when the Bulls officially open training camp with media day. The 17-year veteran, who led the Bulls to six NBA championships, is expected to announce his retirement Tuesday.
Pippen, 39, has one year worth $5 million left on the two-year deal he signed last year. The seven-time All-Star previously told the Chicago Sun-Times he will not waive that salary, forcing the Bulls to buy out the final year and take a salary-cap hit. Pippen's retirement opens a roster spot, making it easier for operations chief John Paxson to trim a 20-man roster to 15.
Veteran power forward Gary Trent signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract on Friday while Kendall Gill will use his unrestricted free agency to try to sign with a contender or retire. Third-year forward Chris Jefferies will be traded or waived.
Since the Bulls aren't planning a news conference Tuesday, Pippen simply may retire through a press release or by scheduling his own news conference. The Bulls also aren't expected to retain Pippen in any front-office capacity. But they plan to retire his jersey this season at a time to be announced. Injuries limited Pippen to playing just 23 games last season. ''He was holding out on announcing his retirement because he was hoping to get a chance to end his career coming off the bench for a contender,'' a close friend said. ''He feels he can still contribute playing limited minutes on a better team that would not need him to play as much. But since nobody else has expressed interest, he's going to call it quits.''
