NY Knicks: Michael Jordan’s agent on pairing MJ with Ewing in 1996

Michael Jordan’s agent discussed the likelihood of Michael Jordan ever leaving the Bulls and possibly pairing with Patrick Ewing

The New York Knicks have always been linked in the headlines with the biggest star players. Need to make a splash? Why not tie the Knicks to someone famous? We saw it earlier today when Trae Young‘s name was attached to the Knicks. Heck, we are basically doing it right now with this article.

When Michael Jordan was playing with the Chicago Bulls, there was never a shortage of rumors about number 23 someday playing at his favorite arena, Madison Square Garden.

On Thursday, his agent David Falk said it was “unlikely” and would have taken a “disaster” for him to leave the Bulls, but they at least prepared for the possibility.

"“We obviously had to do our due diligence in the event that a disaster did happen, you don’t want to be unprepared,” Falk said during an interview on SiriusXM NBA Radio. “But I think the chance of him leaving Chicago for any team were unlikely.”"

However, Falk, who represented both Jordan and Patrick Ewing, had ideas of teaming the two players up on the same team, whether that be in New York or “the moon.”

"“Now for me, obviously in 1996 representing both Michael [Jordan] and Patrick [Ewing],” Falk said. “If they both could play for the same team on the moon it would’ve been amazing. Michael would’ve given Patrick the championship he craved, you would’ve had the most dominating big man in the league and the most dominating wing player in the league on the same team. It had nothing to do with being in New York, it could have been on the moon.”"

1996 is a significant year for Falk to mention. It was in the offseason following the Bulls’ 72-win season when Jordan and Ewing reportedly almost became teammates. Ewing had been on a one-year, $18 million deal with the Knicks, which Jordan used as leverage for his asking price as a free agent.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Falk came up with a creative way to earn “His Airness” a massive deal through the Knicks new ownership structure between ITT-Sheraton and Cablevision. Falk reportedly told Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf they had “one hour, maybe the rest of the day” to match a $25 million compensation package from the Knicks. The Bulls stepped up to the plate and offered him $30 million, and the rest is history.

Jordan would go on to play two more seasons with the Bulls, winning his fifth and sixth championship rings. The Knicks ended up using their extra cap space to sign Allan Houston, Chris Childs and Buck Williams, as well as swinging a deal for Larry Johnson.