Chicago Bulls: Stephen Jackson Being Courted By Rondo, Butler?

The Chicago Bulls are at the center of another offseason rumor, this time concerning retired player Stephen Jackson.

Former NBA player Stephen Jackson wants to come out of retirement. And apparently, Chicago Bulls members Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo, are encouraging this.

Yes, the offseason is often riddled with ridiculous rumors. Between speculation of which free agent will sign where, what trades will take place and who will come out of retirement… there is always plenty to sink your teeth into.

However, it seems as though this summer in particular, this is more so the case than ever.

Perhaps it is because of the increase in salary cap, which has led to numerous outrageous contracts. Or the star-studded free agent class.

It could also do with the fact that the notion of super teams is once again a reality, something that has not necessarily been the case since the Big Three formed in South Beach.

And then of course there are the hard-to-believe deals that have already gone through, making way for just about anything to be possible.

(Including Jackson coming aboard.)

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Kevin Durant

leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Golden State Warriors.

Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah ending up with the New York Knicks. Rondo coming to the Bulls. Dwyane Wade saying goodbye to the Miami Heat.

Come to think of it, so many of the biggest offseason moves are actually linked to Chicago.

So, could Jackson indeed be making a return to the league? And furthermore, could he do it with the Bulls?

In a recent interview, the 38-year-old gave an interview in which he addressed his potential future:

"“I’ve been blessed to be healthy, I’ve been blessed to have a 14-year career and never have [serious] injuries, no surgeries. So at the end of the day, God is still telling me I still have basketball left. I definitely enjoy doing the ESPN stuff, but I have two more years of basketball and I love the game. Obviously I’m not chasing the ring because I already have a championship so I just want to get back and take advantage of the game I have left. I know I have two good years left.”"

And according to Jackson, both Butler and Rondo have talked to him about joining the team.

"Jimmy has been calling me. We’ve been talking for like three months now. Even Rondo has been calling me, they really want me on the Bulls team. I’ve been talking to a lot of guys, because guys know what I bring. There’s not many guys like me. There’s probably one or two guys in the NBA like me that can play both ways and don’t mind really shutting the guy down. I’m a winner, I’ve been in the playoffs many years. Guys know I’m a great teammate, Tim Duncan called me the ultimate teammate. I know how to play good for the guy next to me. I’m getting calls and I will be ready and that’s the biggest part."

Jackson, who retired last year after playing in the NBA since 2000, has been quite chatty about a lot lately.

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Drafted in 1997 by the Phoenix Suns, he was waived and subsequently played for the Continental Basketball Association and the Australian National Basketball League, as well as in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.

However, the New Jersey Nets finally gave him a chance, and he went on to play for a total of eight NBA teams.

After 14 years, the forward finished out his career averaging 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game on 31.9 minutes of play. He also won a title with the San Antonio Spurs.

Is Jackson’s return likely though? Probably not. Although Jackson may have never fallen victim to a grave injury, he did struggle with things like turf toe and hamstring strains.

Additionally, he has been known to be a troublemaker, having been involved in a nightclub shooting, openly criticizing organizations as well as coaches and being fined for threatening other players.

must read: Chicago Bulls: Could A DeMarcus Cousins Trade Happen?

But, if this summer has proved anything when it comes to Chicago, it is that one should never count anything out.

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Chicago Bulls: Stephen Jackson To Come Aboard?

By Allana Tachauer | Aug 12, 2016

The Chicago Bulls are at the center of another offseason rumor, this time concerning retired player Stephen Jackson.

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