Thu May 29 21:34:12 2008

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Bulls, Collins deny report

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Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Bulls general manager John Paxson and Doug Collins both denied multiple media reports Thursday that the club has picked Collins to be the team's next head coach, but both did acknowledge mutual interest in the former Bulls coach returning to Chicago.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported Thursday that an announcement naming Collins as coach was expected "sooner, rather than later," but details of the contract weren't known.

Paxson acknowledged Thursday that the two sides were talking but said nothing was imminent.

"I have been in contact with Doug Collins in regard to our head coaching position," Paxson said in a statement. "Contrary to some reports that are currently out there, we have not reached an agreement.

"Right now, his commitment is covering the Western Conference finals for TNT. When that series concludes, we will continue our dialogue. In the meantime, I will continue to talk to other candidates and review our options."

Collins then spoke with TNT colleague Craig Sager before coverage of Game 5 of the series between the Lakers and Spurs, and said that he had not yet been offered the job.

"I have not been offered, I have not accepted," Collins said. "There's interest on both sides, and as soon as the Western Conference finals are over, which is my number one priority, we've agreed to sit down and talk."

Collins previously coached the Bulls from 1986-89 and took the team to the Eastern Conference finals in 1988-89. He also coached the Detroit Pistons and later the Washington Wizards.

Recently, Collins indicated that he did not want to leave his broadcasting job with TNT, but that was before the Bulls landed the No. 1 overall draft pick in the NBA Draft Lottery.

A native of Benton, Illinois, Collins starred in college at Illinois State before being selected as the top overall pick in the 1973 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.

Collins went on to play in four All-Star games with the Sixers until his career was cut short by injuries.

As a head coach, Collins amassed a 332-287 record over parts of eight seasons.