In a stunning turnaround, Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) said Sunday that he had decided against selling the Milwaukee Bucks to Michael Jordan and would "continue to own them, improve them and commit them to remaining in Wisconsin."

Kohl's abrupt announcement came after weeks of intense local and national speculation that the retired basketball superstar had reached a tentative agreement to buy the team or was about to do so. The announcement would have to be considered a huge disappointment for Jordan.

Kohl's announcement capped an afternoon in which the Bucks released general manager Ernie Grunfeld from the last year of his contract, allowing Grunfeld to pursue what is expected to be a similar position with the Washington Wizards. That move immediately raised questions about the future of the basketball operations of the franchise.

Assistant general manager Larry Harris, the son of former Bucks coach Del Harris, was named acting general manager.

Jordan ended his playing career this season with the Wizards, then was fired by owner Abe Pollin as Jordan was poised to take over that team's basketball operations. Jordan had high hopes of becoming an owner in the National Basketball Association.

Forget the NBA draft.

The real talent chase begins Tuesday when the free-agency negotiating period opens. Teams can sign players starting July 16.

The Spurs, Nuggets and Jazz are the only serious bidders this summer because they each have more than $10 million in salary-cap room. Utah's ability to sign is dependent on whether the team re-signs Karl Malone. The Clippers also are well under the cap, but they don't do that kind of thing.

Jason Kidd heads an unrestricted free-agent list that includes Jermaine O'Neal, Brad Miller, Reggie Miller, Gary Payton, Tyrone Hill, Derrick Coleman, Juwan Howard, Scottie Pippen and Alonzo Mourning. Other notable names are Michael Olowokandi, P.J. Brown, Elden Campbell, Kenny Thomas and Rasho Nesterovic. Keon Clark could become a free agent if he opts out of his contract with Sacramento. There also is a bunch of guards, including Kenny Anderson, Earl Boykins, Dion Glover, Darrell Armstrong and Speedy Claxton.

Restricted free agents?players whose teams can match offers for one year to retain them?include Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, Gilbert Arenas (though only up to about $4.6 million for the Warriors), Lamar Odom and James Posey.

Tyson Chandler couldn't contain a smile recently when told the Bulls were going to inquire about Scottie Pippen's availability as a free agent.

''Now see, that's exactly the kind of player we need,'' Chandler said.

John Paxson doesn't disagree. But the Bulls' general manager isn't sure of Pippen's intentions.

The free-agent market opens Tuesday, and the Bulls will pursue a veteran, defensive-minded small forward armed with their mid-level exception, which is expected to be around $4.9 million. They also will have an injury exception for Jay Williams for approximately $1.8 million.

Pippen is on record saying his first choice is to re-sign with the Portland Trail Blazers, with the intent of becoming a minority owner who helps run the organization. But Pippen said he couldn't get Blazers owner Paul Allen to return a phone call.

Pippen, 37, is planning for his post-playing days, figuring he has two more good years left.

Michael Jordan looked into buying the Milwaukee Bucks. But in the end, Herb Kohl wasn't ready to sell.

Kohl, the Bucks owner and U.S. senator from Wisconsin, announced that he is pulling his team off the market.

In a statement released Sunday, Kohl said: "I have decided not to sell the Milwaukee Bucks at this time, and will continue to own them, improve them, and commit them to remaining in Wisconsin."

Kohl, a Milwaukee native who has owned the team since 1985, acknowledged that he had "detailed discussions" with Jordan, who is looking to remain in the league after retiring in Washington as a player after the 2002-03 season.

The deal apparently was close to getting done, although it still would have needed the NBA's approval, a process that could have taken several weeks.

The basketball hoops got erected early and, in a nod to those chilling west Iowa winters, strategically.

One hoop got set up outside. Another was installed in the living room, all the better for Kirk Hinrich to practice his shooting form year-round and round-the-clock.

Anytime a trip to the gym didn't work or a trip outside needed too much work?snow shoveling and all?Hinrich would take advantage of the vaulted ceilings in his Sioux City home and arch shot after shot at the 7-foot basket.

Sometimes, a Christmas ornament or two got in the way.

His father, Jim, the coach at the local West High School for 24 years, would analyze Kirk's form. And even at a young age, Kirk's form rang true.

Kirk is, after all, someone whose first word as an infant was "ball." Or so Jim says.

You want other signs that the coach's son was going to grow up and make his father proud? On the day Kirk was born, Jan. 2, 1981, Jim's team had lost three straight games.

It's too early to compare John Paxson to Jerry Krause in terms of talent evaluation, but the contrast in other areas is dramatically evident.

I'm not talking about physical appearance. I'm talking about style.

After covering my fifth Bulls draft Thursday, I realized it was the first time the team's general manager didn't feel compelled to talk down to reporters or to blast speculation that Dwyane Wade was his first choice.

Paxson hasn't mastered the art of trying to deceive the masses, and he doesn't seem intent on learning. In fact, Paxson admitted having Wade and Kirk Hinrich atop his board.

Imagine that.

Inside the war room, Paxson didn't act like someone who never had held a front-office position and had been a radio analyst until 2-1/2 months ago.

"Pax handled himself extraordinarily well,'' Bulls coach Bill Cartwright said. "While the calls were coming in, he handled every one real well. He knew what he wanted to say and what deals he liked and what deals he didn't like. He was pretty damn outstanding.

"But that's Pax's personality. He really thought out all the scenarios of things that could happen and was prepared in his mind to say yes or no. There was no give-and-take because there was nothing to give and take. It's not like we had a lot of decisions to make. It was made well ahead of time. It was not dramatic at all. It was boom, boom, boom.''

When Paxson learned the Mi-ami Heat was going to take Wade at No. 5, he talked with the To-ronto Raptors about moving up to No. 4. When the Raptors weren't offering the right deal, Paxson took Hinrich at No. 7.

Bulls general manager John Paxson did not cancel a scouting trip to France two weeks ago so he could work on a blockbuster trade involving one of the team's point guards.

Paxson just felt it was too late in the game to get a good read on 6-6 swingman Mickael Pietrus, who ended up being drafted by Golden State with the 11th pick on Thursday.

"There were a couple of (trades) being talked about," Paxson said. "There was nothing imminent. It just didn't make sense for me to go over there at the last minute."

Paxson didn't do any scouting last season because he was a member of the Bulls' radio broadcast team.

First-round draft pick Kirk Hinrich visited the Berto Center just once, but Paxson felt more comfortable with that setting than he would have about a quick trip to Europe.

Juwan Howard might be in his final days with the Denver Nuggets.

Word around the NBA is that Howard, who becomes an unrestricted free agent Tuesday, won't re-sign with the Nuggets.

"He's long gone," said an agent who represents another Denver player but asked that his name not be used.

The agent said he got that information through conversations with Howard's representatives. He said it's most likely Howard will end up with the Los Angeles Lakers or in his hometown of Chicago.

Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said Friday he doesn't put any credence in talk about Howard's future unless "David Falk (Howard's agent) made that comment, or Juwan himself."

Efforts to reach Howard were unsuccessful. Falk did not immediately return a message.

New Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich will be unveiled to the media at a Tuesday news conference at the United Center.

Now what?

John Paxson, fresh off his first draft as Bulls general manager, attended a Friday luncheon for United Center suite holders, along with coach Bill Cartwright.

But the glad-handing won't last long. Although excited about adding Hinrich to a crowded backcourt picture, Paxson and his staff know their work has only begun.

Hinrich's selection happened because Miami snared Dwyane Wade, and Jay Williams may not play competitive basketball again. The selection speaks volumes to what Paxson and his staff thought of the free-agent picture at guard.

Simply put, when Wade went off the board, Paxson switched plans and figured Hinrich was better than the guard selections in the free-agent market, where the Bulls will go to find a veteran small forward who can play defense and shoot.

"A wing player is a priority," Paxson said. "I didn't want to address it at [pick] No. 7 just to address it. So we'll direct all our efforts to that starting right now."

The Bulls' selection Thursday night of Kansas senior point guard Kirk Hinrich as their top pick in the NBA draft sends several messages.

They're doubtful about Jay Williams' chances of returning after his serious motorcycle accident.

They're not confident in the overall maturity and ability of Jamal Crawford, who finished at point guard last season.

They'd like to keep pressure on Crawford, whose work ethic has been in debate since he again showed up late this off-season for workouts.

There's concern Crawford would relax too much with no one to compete with at the position.

And they'd like to keep open the possibility of dealing Crawford, who has value around the NBA. They were talking with several teams about dealing him before Williams' injury.