Michael Jordan made a triumphant return to the NBA during the 1995-96 season.

After a brief stint in professional baseball, Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to a then-NBA record best 72-10 regular season mark and the fourth title in franchise history. He captured his fourth MVP award and immediately reclaimed his spot at the pinnacle of the basketball world.

But Jordan's contract expired heading into the summer of 1996, and the New York Knicks were desperate to bring ā€œHis Airnessā€ to the Big Apple.

Anthony Olivieri of ESPN wrote an oral history of the Knicks' dogged pursuit of Jordan that summer, which actually began in earnest in February of 1996.

New York made a pair of deals ahead of the 1996 trade deadline to free up $10 million in cap space for free agency. The Knicks fired Don Nelson and promoted assistant Jeff Van Gundy to the head coach position. A cultural shift appeared palpable.

Former Knicks executive Dave Checketts made it clear the team would be willing to spend all of its cap space on Jordan to lure him away from the Bulls. But there was one big issue.

The NBA's salary cap was drastically lower 25 years ago. New York would only be able to offer MJ upwards of $9 million, whereas the Bullsā€“still owning Jordan's Bird Rightsā€“could exceed the salary cap to bring back their superstar.

Article Continues Below
More New York Knicks News
New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers during game five of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden
Knicks rumors: How player input factored into New Yorkā€™s decision to fire Tom ThibodeauQuinn Allen Ā·
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) talks with Assistant Coach Rick Brunson in the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Madison Square Garden.
Bill Simmons questions the role Jalen Brunsonā€™s dad will play in Knicksā€™ HC searchJulian Ojeda Ā·
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd looks on during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center.
NBA rumors: Knicks expected to make Jason Kidd request after Tom Thibodeau firingJoey Mistretta Ā·
Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns looking sad, with Lakers, Warriors, Bucks, Suns, Mavericks, Spurs, Rockets, Cavs logos all over him
Ranking 4 Karl-Anthony Towns trade destinations if Knicks blow it upJedd Pagaduan Ā·
Knicks' Mikal Bridges looking serious, with Lakers, Warriors, Thunder, 76ers, Pistons, Rockets, Spurs logos around him, question marks all over
Ranking 5 Mikal Bridges trade destinations if Knicks blow it upJedd Pagaduan Ā·
Knicks logo in the middle, with head cutouts (head only) of Landry Shamet, PJ Tucker, Delon Wright, Cameron Payne, Precious Achiuwa around the logo, question marks all over
3 best players New York Knicks must re-sign in 2025 NBA free agencyJedd Pagaduan Ā·

As such, the Knicks attempted to maneuver salary cap issues by teaming with corporate sponsors to offer Jordan massive partnership deals. One rumored deal with ITT Corporation was reportedly being organized by Jordan's agent, David Falk, and would have paid him $15 million. However, such a deal would have gone against league rules.

Ultimately, Checketts did offer the full extent of New York's cap space to Jordan, who apparently had interest in playing for the Knicks. But the pipe dream ended when the Bulls offered MJ a one-year, 30.14 million deal.

What if Jerry Reinsdorf never made such a lucrative offer? Perhaps we'd be talking about Jordan leading a Knicks dynasty at the end of the 1990s.

Ā 

Ā