Michael Jordan vetoed a Tracy McGrady for Scottie Pippen trade

CHICAGO, June 23 (UPI) -- Former NBA superstar Tracy McGrady made ears perk up when he made a stunning revelation Thursday on ESPN.

While appearing on "The Jump," with Rachel Nichols and Ramona Shelburne, McGrady revealed that he was nearly traded for Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen during the 1997 NBA Draft.

But Michael Jordan's intervention halted the swap, and preserved the NBA dynasty.

"[Bulls general manager] Jerry Krause was actually trying to make a trade for me and Scottie Pippen," McGrady said on ESPN, "and MJ called and axed that whole deal."

"Did you know that at the time?" Shelburne asked McGrady.

"Yeah!" McGrady said. "Absolutely. Jerry Krause was trying to make a trade for me that night and Scottie Pippen. They brought me in for a secret meeting."

The Bulls ended up winning the NBA title in 1997 and traded Pippen to the Houston Rockets in 1998. The Toronto Raptors selected McGrady with the No. 9 pick in the draft that year.

Pippen, a seven-time All-Star at the time, would average 14.5 points for the Rockets. McGrady would average seven points per game for the Raptors in his rookie season, but go on to lead the NBA in scoring in the 2002 and 2003 seasons.