CHICAGO — Knicks general manager Steve Mills huddled with Scottie Pippen for about 15 minutes Wednesday at Chicago’s draft combine to gauge the legendary Bull’s interest in possibly working for the organization in some capacity, possibly as an assistant coach, according to an NBA source.
Knicks president Phil Jackson, stung by the Steve Kerr rejection, would have interest in Pippen in some capacity, pending whom his new head coach is. Pippen, master of the triangle, has the title of advisor with the Bulls.
When asked by The Post about potentially working with Jackson, Pippen said: “I haven’t talked to Phil. I have to wait until that time comes. Right now nothing’s out there. I’m not going to say whether I’m interested or not until it happens.’’
Jackson was in Chicago, but stayed away from the gym where the draft candidates conducted workouts.
Pippen once called Steve Kerr his favorite teammate. Kerr was with Pippen for three of the Bulls’ championships.
“I was a little bit surprised,’’ Pippen said of Kerr not taking the Knicks’ job. “I thought the familiarity working with Phil, able to run the offense, having Phil there to mentor him as much as possible made it a bit of a surprise. I think at the end of the day, Golden State is probably the better team. They have a lot more upside.’’