According to a source close to the negotiations, the Chicago Bulls received word that Mike D'Antoni had accepted the head coaching position with New York as John Paxson and Jerry Reinsdorf were preparing to make an official offer.

According to K.C. Johnson, the Bulls were also willing to offer a four year contract, but didn't get the opportunity to get their counter offer to the Knicks' contract into D'Antoni's representatives.

"Chicago made a terrific, last-second pitch, but at that point, Mike was emotionally committed to New York," LeGarie said in a phone interview. "John Paxson did a magnificent job to bring Mike on board, and Mike was quite taken with John.

"This has nothing to do with money. Mike sees a great challenge in New York."

"I flew out to see Mike last Sunday within hours when I was given permission to do so from [Suns general manager] Steve Kerr," Paxson said in a statement.

"The meeting went very well and I felt we connected on many things philosophically.

"On Tuesday Jerry and I met and, because of our strong interest, Jerry was eager to meet with Mike personally. This morning Jerry and I spoke and agreed that Mike was a good fit and I placed a call to his agent. Jerry wanted to meet with Mike again [Saturday] and talk about a deal.

"Unfortunately, we were never given an opportunity to make an offer of any kind, which is the most disappointing thing in all of this. I thought it would have been fair to listen to what we had to say. But at the end of the day we simply weren't given the opportunity to do so. I now will continue to search for the proper fit for our current roster."

Via Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns

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