Talk of Trade for Kukoc Still Hypothetical

Coach Phil Jackson sounded interested in the possibility of trading for Chicago Bull forward Toni Kukoc, who won three titles playing for Jackson, but Jackson did not indicate that such a move was anywhere close to completion or even had been seriously contemplated.

“Toni could really contribute to this team, yeah,” Jackson said before Monday’s game. “That’s a legitimate-type addition to this team. I don’t know the possibilities . . . “

Kukoc had been out with back spasms for most of the early season, and only recently returned, sparking the Bulls to three recent victories.

“It’s so hypothetical--let’s see if it’s a reality or not,” Jackson said. “I haven’t talked to anybody from Chicago.

“The [Bull] coaching staff. . . . I know they weren’t pleased that he was not there, not part of that team. I did get rumors of that [he] . . . sat out so long . . . didn’t start the season well, wasn’t in shape to play.

“But what has he done since he’s been back? The last three games, been pretty nice. I don’t think they want to get rid of him now.”

Ron Harper, Kukoc’s former Bull teammate, said he wasn’t sure if the timing was right for the Lakers, or if Bull executive Jerry Krause would ever trade a quality player to Jackson.

“I love TK,” Harper said. “I think he’s a great ballplayer. I think he’s a great fit here.

“But, we’ve only lost five games. I don’t know if the Bulls would really give him a trade here, of all spots. Even though this is the last year on his NBA deal, I don’t know if Jerry Krause would help Phil out.”

In other former Bull developments, Jackson and Harper both were not sure what to make of the Dallas Mavericks’ interest in Dennis Rodman, and vice versa.

“[Dallas Coach Don Nelson], he’s always liked mavericks--he’s one himself and he coaches the Mavericks,” Jackson said.

“You know, Dennis will help anybody out. But he’s a type of player that puts somebody over the top or an added dimension to a championship-bound team or a team that’s bound for a long distance in the playoffs.”

Have Rodman’s representatives made a last, if-you-want-him-it-better-be-now pitch to the Lakers? “We don’t feel that way,” Jackson said.

Said Harper of Rodman signing with Dallas: “I don’t know--what does that do for him? . . . I mean, if Dennis Rodman’s going to play, I hope he’s going to play for a team that has a chance.”