In 1996, Jordan tried the free market, what teams did he offer? Hu Kaiqi competed for it, and the Knicks were the most arrogant!

As the greatest superstar in NBA history, many fans are familiar with the story of Michael Jordan. Although he played for two seasons with the Wizards, Jordan was the owner of the Wizards at that time, and the United States was affected by the "911" incident, his comeback was more to encourage morale across the United States and also to save the NBA market. Therefore, looking back at his career, he stayed with the Bulls at the most glorious period. However, despite playing for the Bulls for 13 years, Jordan also tried the free market. Back in the summer of 1996, Jordan, who had just won the fourth championship, entered the free market and directly ignited the entire market. Many teams all quoted him. Let’s take a look at the most attractive quote at that time and see what the specific situation is!

1. The Los Angeles Lakers offered a quotation: $20 million in annual salary, and increased their investment to $30 million in

First of all, the Lakers, the largest team in the West, immediately offered a good offer that summer, willing to provide a contract of $20 million. The Lakers were in a trough at that time. Although Magic Johnson returned to play for one season in the 1995-96 season, he was already old after all. Although he averaged 14.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game, and helped the Lakers achieve a record of 53 wins and 29 losses, the Lakers were eliminated early, and the Magic also announced his retirement and left the professional arena forever. The Lakers naturally hope to get Jordan and take over the Magician. Moreover, the Lakers had just got Kobe Bryant that year. If Jordan could come, it would definitely help this 18-year-old grow up. However, Jordan still chose to reject the Lakers. After all, in the eyes of the arrogant Flying Man, although he had a close personal relationship with the Magician, he was not willing to be a substitute, and the salary offered by the Lakers did not attract his attention. Although Lakers general manager Jerry West later raised his salary to $30 million, he still failed to impress Jordan. Fortunately, the Lakers were lucky. They seized the contradiction between Shaquille O'Neal and the Magic and finally got this top center, which later brought the team a valuable three-game championship.

2. The Boston Celtics offered a quotation of $20 million, and it also increased to $30 million. After seeing the arch-rival Lakers offered a quotation, the Celtics, the number one giant in the East, did not hesitate at all. They also offered a salary worth $20 million at the beginning, hoping that Jordan could join Boston. The Celtics in those years can be said to be the lowest period in the team's history. Due to the unexpected deaths of Ren Baias and Reggie Lewis, the team's team building plan was completely disrupted. In addition, Larry Bird announced his retirement in 1992, which led to the team's no successor and became the bottom of the Eastern Conference. He only achieved a record of 33 wins and 49 losses in the 95-96 season. Therefore, if Jordan can join, it will undoubtedly be a huge improvement for the team. But the problem is that the Celtics lineup was indeed not attractive at all. Although they got Antoine Walker, they were just a rookie after all. Besides Walker, the only ones that the team could do was David Wesley and Rick Fox. Therefore, even if the Celtics later followed the imitation of their rivals, the Lakers and increased their salary to $30 million, they could not impress the Flying Man. After all, this lineup could not meet Jordan's needs to win the championship, so it was completely reasonable for Jordan to reject this contract.

3. The New York Knicks issued a quote: a blank check, the amount is filled in with Jordan

. As a great tycoon in the NBA at that time, the wealthy Knicks also directly issued an extremely amazing quote for Jordan after he entered the free market, that is, a blank check. Within the team's ability, the team will cash it for him no matter how Jordan fills it in. Looking at the entire NBA history, Jordan is the only one who can do this, which is enough to prove his ability and value. At that time, the Knicks, second only to the Bulls in the East, also made many attempts to win the championship without success. Jordan was the one who prevented them from winning the championship. Therefore, once Jordan could join, the Knicks' probability of winning the championship was definitely the best in the league. Moreover, there are many old Jordan acquaintances in this team, such as Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, John Starks and others. There is no doubt that if we talk about the team lineup alone, the Knicks were better than the Bulls in those years. After all, the Knicks did not lack funds. As long as they were players they could contact, they would negotiate to get them. However, Jordan eventually rejected the Knicks and stayed with the Bulls, finally completing his second three-game championship.

4. The Chicago Bulls

offered a quotation: a 2-year contract of $63.28 million

Finally, let's talk about the Bulls. Although the Bulls had won four championships at that time, fans who are familiar with the Bulls know that the overall signing of this team is not that outstanding. Moreover, then-general Jerry Klaus was a famous squeezer. In the summer of 1997, he not only directly exposed the news and would not renew his contract with Phil Jackson, but also once wanted to use Scotty Pippen as a bargaining chip to trade Tracy McGrady, who had just entered the NBA. If it weren't for Jordan's pressure, the deal would have been reached. Therefore, in the summer of 1996, but after Jordan entered the free market, they were also panicked, afraid that they would lose the greatest superstar in team history. Fortunately, the team's boss Jerry Lawnsdorf issued a death order, that is, Jordan must be left behind, and no matter what request he makes, he must keep him in Chicago.. Of course, Jordan himself doesn't have much idea to join other teams, and his entry into the free market is more of a playful nature. The Bulls are also very sincere and have issued a two-year contract of $63.28 million, and it is also of "1+1". Therefore, Jordan did not hesitate at all and finally returned to Chicago and completed his final legend. Since then, the Bulls have also completed their rule over the 1990s and created the Red Dynasty that belongs to them alone.