"I just don't see how you would get equal value" - Michael Jordan believed the Bulls could never get anybody as valuable as Scottie Pippen

Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to multiple championships in the '90s. However, many have also witnessed that right behind him was Scottie Pippen , his all-around co-star who was an integral part of the Bulls team during their dominant years.

Pippen's ability to consistently score, defend, and play multiple positions made him a valuable asset to the team. Despite not always receiving the same level of recognition as Jordan, Pip's impact on the Bulls' success was undeniable. In fact, MJ himself once said in 1995 that Hakeem Olajuwon was probably the only player the Bulls could get in exchange for Pippen, but he's not even sure about it.

"I just don't see how you would get equal value for a player like Scottie Pippen," Jordan said after the 1995 loss to Orlando as rumors swirled about a possible Pippen trade. "Maybe for a Hakeem Olajuwon, and I'm not even sure you would want to do that."

MJ wouldn't have returned if the Bulls traded Scottie

In 1994, Pippen was heavily linked to a trade away from the Bulls in exchange for Seattle Supersonics' All-Star power forward Shawn Kemp. The trade did not materialize, but what many may not know is that Jordan's decision to return to the NBA in the 1994-95 season would've been influenced by the said potential trade.

MJ acknowledged that Pippen's departure would have significantly impacted the team's dynamics and chances of winning another championship. He even stated that he might not have returned to the Bulls if the trade had gone through.

The best teammate of all time

While Jordan was the face of the Bulls and the driving force behind their championships, he recognized the importance of having a strong supporting cast. Pippen's contributions on both ends of the court allowed Jordan to focus on his scoring and be a more effective leader on the team.

For MJ, Pippen is undoubtedly the best teammate he has ever had.

"I didn't win without Scottie Pippen. And that's why I consider him my best teammate of all-time," Jordan said in The Last Dance. "He helped me so much in the way I approached the game, in the way I played the game. Whenever they speak Michael Jordan, they should speak Scottie Pippen."

Jordan and Pippen's partnership exemplified teamwork and chemistry in the NBA. They enhanced each other's playing styles and abilities, resulting in a formidable 1-2 punch that was nearly unstoppable. Indeed, their success in Chicago cemented their places in basketball history and established them as one of, if not the greatest, dynamic duos of all time.

Related: John Lucas on what made Hakeem Olajuwon an unstoppable player: “He brought a different intensity level to the game that only a few players could do”