CRACKS IN BULLS' FOUNDATION? : JORDAN, RODMAN, JACKSON PRESENT CONTRACT CHALLENGES.

Byline: Mike Nadel Associated Press 

Fifteen months ago, Michael Jordan had not yet come out of retirement, Dennis Rodman was playing in San Antonio, Scottie Pippen wanted to be traded and Phil Jackson was showing signs of coaching burnout.

The Chicago Bulls' starting lineup consisted of Pippen, Pete Myers, B.J. Armstrong, Will Perdue and Toni Kukoc.

Their record was 31-31.

If everything goes wrong this summer, the Bulls might be returning to those mediocre ways.

Jordan, Rodman and Jackson - three of the four most important components of the Bulls' 1995-96 juggernaut - soon will be free to test the open market.

``I wish those guys the best,'' said Pippen, who'll be the Bulls' lone marquee name if Jordan, Rodman and Jackson go. ``Phil and Michael helped build this franchise. They deserve a lot. I'd like Dennis back, too. I'd like this whole team to stay together so we can get back to this point.''

Jordan, Rodman and Jackson all say they want to return. But all three insist they'll leave if the Bulls don't take care of them financially.

It won't be until after the season ends that Jerry Reinsdorf and his ownership partners truly will be challenged.

Who stays? Who goes? Will the Bulls make another championship run in 1996-97, or will they be mere also-rans?

Jordan, 33, who won his eighth NBA scoring title and fourth MVP award this season, said he wants at least $36 million over the next two years. His agent, David Falk, then said Jordan won't settle for such chump change.

Jordan made a relative pittance, about $4 million, this season and has been underpaid his entire career. He feels his impact upon the franchise entitles him to a big-time makeup call in his final contract; the Bulls, who now attract sellout crowds of 24,000-plus, drew only 4,042 fans to the final game of the pre-Jordan era.

Rodman, 35, who grabbed his fifth consecutive rebounding championship and provided the toughness and energy that the Bulls needed, has publicly demanded at least $14 million for the next two years. At $2.5 million this season, he, too, was a relative bargain.

Because Jordan and Rodman are Chicago free agents, the Bulls could sign them for any amount without salary-cap restrictions; other teams would have to work around the cap. But Jordan, who makes some $40 million in off-the-court endorsements, said he'd take significantly less money from another team if the Bulls ``insult'' him with an inferior offer. And Rodman said he might retire if he can't play for Chicago.

Jackson, 50, coached the Bulls to the best regular-season record (72-10) in NBA history this season and owns the league's career winning percentage mark. He can't believe Chicago is offering him $1.65 million annually when New Jersey has given NBA newcomer John Calipari a five-year, $15 million contract.

Because most coaching jobs have been filled, Jackson is threatening to sit out next season. Despite leading the Bulls to titles in 1991, 1992 and 1993, his annual salary of $866,000 ranks in the middle of the pack.

Jordan, Rodman and Jackson have linked their futures.

``If Phil Jackson's not back, if Michael's not back, I'm definitely not coming back,'' Rodman said.

``I don't want to play here if Phil's not here,'' Jordan said.

``The only reason I'd come back is if Michael Jordan ... and Dennis Rodman come back. They're the reason this team is what it is,'' Jackson said.

What makes the situation interesting is that the Bulls' ownership group appears to have little to gain financially by throwing $30 million annually at Jordan, Rodman and Jackson. United Center suites, the team's biggest money-maker, supposedly are sold out into the next millennium.

So it might come down to ego: Do Reinsdorf & Co. want to win? Do they want to go down in history as the fiends who let Michael Jordan get away?

``Who wouldn't want to have the greatest player in the world? It would not be a good thing to have Michael end his career for another team,'' Reinsdorf said. ``We expect all of these things to work out.''

As for Rodman, Reinsdorf said Jackson - assuming he returns - and general manager Jerry Krause would make that call. But Reinsdorf quickly added that the decision-makers wouldn't be provided a blank check.

Jordan looks at everything the Bulls have accomplished since he came out of retirement and hopes the franchise isn't about to fall flat.

``It would be disappointing if we got broken apart,'' he said.

CAPTION(S):

Photo

Photo: Coach Phil Jackson of the Chicago Bulls is miffed th at team management is offering him only $1.65 million per year.

Associated Press