CHICAGO, March 19 (UPI) -- Chicago Bull Scottie Pippen may be 39 with sore knees but he says he will not only try to play again this season but maybe next season as well.
"Next year I still have an opportunity, so it's not like I'm going out yet," Pippen told the Chicago Tribune. "I still have some hope if I rehab, do all that good stuff."
He signed a guaranteed two-year contract worth $10.3 million with the Chicago Bulls last summer but has been limited to 23 games because of chronically sore knees. Pippen has given every impression of one about to retire, perhaps agreeing to a buyout for the remainder of his deal.
But, lately, Pippen has told friends he might want to play and collect the $5.4 million he is due next season. And, he said he still hopes to play "maybe the last game" of this season.
If Pippen doesn't retire, it could affect General Manager John Paxson's ability to make off-season moves.
