“Jerry Krause Reveals Michael Jordan Never Asked for a Trade or Teammate Upgrade” Analyst’s thinks this statement is….
In a rare reflection on his relationship with NBA legend Michael Jordan, former Chicago Bulls general manager Jerry Krause shared an insight that speaks volumes about the basketball icon’s competitive mindset.
Despite their well-documented differences, Krause praised Jordan’s independence and self-belief, stating that during their entire time together, Jordan never once approached him to request a trade, demand the signing of a specific player, or push for roster changes.
“Michael Jordan and I had our differences, but I will say one thing about Michael now and forever—he never came and asked me for another player, never asked me to draft or trade for a player, never once,” Krause said. “A part of it was that he thought he was so good he could win without them.”
The revelation underscores Jordan’s supreme confidence in his own abilities and his willingness to trust the team-building process, even under a GM with whom he often clashed.
During Krause’s tenure, the Bulls built one of the greatest dynasties in sports history, winning six NBA championships in the 1990s. While tensions between Jordan and Krause were well-publicized, this acknowledgment offers a rare moment of mutual respect between two figures whose partnership—despite personal friction—produced historic success.
The comment has reignited discussions about player empowerment in today’s NBA, where superstar requests for roster moves are increasingly common. In contrast, Jordan’s approach exemplified an old-school mentality: focusing on dominating the game with whatever hand he was dealt.
