Knicks Offered Jordan $25M in 1996 Free Agency Bid

During the mid-1990s, Michael Jordan's career was marked by significant transitions and team dynamics that shaped the NBA landscape. In 1996, as a free agent, Jordan was nearly acquired by the New York Knicks, who sought to end their playoff frustrations against the Chicago Bulls, but no team other than Chicago could afford him at that time. Jordan's 1993 retirement to pursue baseball was viewed by teammate Scottie Pippen as a selfish decision that disrupted the Bulls' chemistry and championship continuity, despite Pippen's own standout performance during Jordan's absence. Pippen never challenged Jordan to one-on-one battles, emphasizing teamwork over individual showdowns, and became an indispensable co-star during their championship runs. After the Bulls' second three-peat, Jordan advocated for the team to retain Pippen, recognizing his value, but internal tensions and management decisions ultimately led to the dynasty's unraveling. Additionally, Jordan supported a proposed 1994 trade sending Pippen to the Seattle Supersonics for Shawn Kemp, a move that could have reshaped the league, but it was ultimately blocked due to fan backlash and ownership concerns.