Head Coach George Karl Ended Up Nixing The Deal

Published on May 1st, 2024 2:28 pm EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


Did you know that the Chicago Bulls very nearly traded away a crucial piece of the dynasty that ended up winning six NBA Championships?

In 1994, the Chicago Bulls had AGREED to a deal to send Scottie Pippen to the Seattle Supersonics.

Remember - after the 1993/94 NBA season, Michael Jordan retired and the Bulls were seriously considering tearing it all down for a rebuild.

The Bulls picked up the phone and started dialling.

One of the teams that expressed interest in Pippen was the Seattle Supersonics.

The two sides worked out a deal that would have looked like this:

Seattle Supersonics Receive:

Scottie Pippen
Will Purdue
#21 Pick in 1994 Draft

Chicago Bulls Receive:

Shawn Kemp
Ricky Pierce
#11 Pick in 1994 Draft

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The Chicago Bulls agreed to the deal, as they would get a younger superstar in return for Pippen, as well as a high pick in the 1994 NBA Draft.

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This deal ended up not happening.

In the end, it was the head coach of the Seattle Supersonics, George Karl, who ended up nixing the deal.

Karl felt as though the Supersonics were in a good place with Shawn Kemp, and he felt as though he owed it to Kemp to keep the team together.

In the end, the Supersonics turned down the deal.

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This ended up being a welcome development for the Bulls, who welcomed Jordan back into the fold and ended up winning three more titles.

The Supersonics, on the other hand, would lose to the Bulls in the 1996 NBA Finals.