Michael Jordan through the years

The Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan trudges off the court after a playoff loss to Milwaukee in 1985.

Michael Jordan during a Bulls Christmas party in 1985.

Michael Jordan claps for his Eastern Conference teammates during the 1988 NBA All-Star Game at Chicago Stadium.

Michael Jordan holds the 1988 NBA All-Star MVP trophy at Chicago Stadium.

Michael Jordan attends a news conference to announce a contract extension in 1988 that will keep Jordan a part of the Bulls organization for the next eight years.

Michael Jordan reacts after hitting the game-winning basket over Cleveland’s Craig Ehlo in Game 5 of the NBA playoffs on May 7, 1989.  (Ed Wagner Jr. / Chicago Tribune)

Michael Jordan on a breakaway dunk against the Celtics on Nov. 6, 1990.  (Charles Cherney/Chicago Tribune)

Michael Jordan holds onto the NBA Championship trophy after the Bulls won their second straight title after beating the Trailblazers on June 14, 1992.

Michael Jordan walks away from the Suns’ Charles Barkley during an NBA Finals game in 1993.

Michael Jordan celebrates with his teammates as the Bulls won their third NBA title on June 20, 1993, in Phoenix.

Michael Jordan announces his retirement from basketball in 1993,

Michael Jordan tips his hat after hitting a double to drive in two runs during the Windy City Classic game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field in 1994.  (Val Mazzenga/Chicago Tribune)

Michael Jordan at a news conference after signing with the White Sox on Feb. 7, 1994.

Michael Jordan is caught in a rundown during the seventh inning, as the White Sox take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on April 7, 1994.  (Mark Elias / Chicago Tribune)

Harry Caray interviews Michael Jordan before the Windy City Classic at Wrigley Field on April 7, 1994. Jordan was making his minor league debut with the Birmingham Barons.

Michael Jordan kisses the basketball floor of Chicago Stadium as he leaves it for the last time on Sept. 9, 1994.

Michael Jordan looks up as he sits during a timeout during a game against the L.A. Clippers at the United Center in 1996.

Michael Jordan gets a technical foul called on him for waving his finger at the Hawks’ Dikembe Mutombo and Tyrone Corbin during Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in 1997.  (Jeff Haynes/AFP/Getty Images)

Michael Jordan after Bulls practice in Miami in 1997.

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen talk during the final minutes of a win in the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat in 1997.

Dennis Rodman, from left, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Ron Harper and coach Phil Jackson hold the five championship trophies in 1997.

Michael Jordan laces up his shoes prior to the start of an exhibition game against the 76ers at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., in 1997.

With fans reaching for a touch, the Bulls’ Michael Jordan steps into the spotlight as he’s introduced at the teams’ fifth NBA championships ring ceremony at the United Center in 1997,

Michael Jordan heads up court during a game at the United Center in 1997.

Michael Jordan has a chat with the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant during free throws in 1997.

The Bulls starting lineup in 1998 are, from left, Dennis Rodman, Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, Ron Harper and Toni Kukoc.

Michael Jordan is consoled by Tribune photographer Charles Cherney after missing a fadeaway jumper against the Knicks in 1998,

Michael Jordan flies to the hoop during the NBA Slam Dunk Contest on Feb. 6, 1988, in Chicago. Jordan went to the wire against Dominique Wilkins to win the contest.

East All-Stars’ Michael Jordan holds his MVP trophy at Madison Square Garden in 1998.

Fans go wild for Michael Jordan after his game-winning shot for the Bulls in a win over Atlanta in 1998.

Michael Jordan reacts after Isiah Rider’s three-pointer keeps the Trail Blazers ahead late in a game in 1998.

Michael Jordan looks to defend against Sacramento’s Mitch Richmond during the first quarter in 1998.

Michael Jordan reacts after chatting with Phil Jackson with seconds on the clock and a Bulls victory in hand in 1998.

Michael Jordan flies past the Hornets’ Glen Rice in 1998.

Michael Jordan looks at the 1998 MVP Award presented to him before a playoff game.

Michael Jordan smiles during Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers in 1998. Jordan scored 29 points in the win.

Michael Jordan works his magic as he shoots over Bryon Russell to seal the win and the Bulls’ sixth NBA championship in 1998.

Michael Jordan flies through the air to dunk against the Jazz in a playoff game in Utah on June 5, 1998.

Michael Jordan savors a cigar after the Bulls’ 87-86 victory over the Jazz in Game 6 in 1998.

Michael Jordan holds his MVP finals trophy while Phil Jackson holds the NBA championship trophy in 1998.

Michael Jordan pours champagne on Dennis Rodman inside the locker room after winning the 1998 NBA title.  (Charles Cherney / Chicago Tribune)

Michael Jordan holds up six fingers for each championship as he addresses the crowd at Grant Park in 1998.

The Bulls celebrate their sixth NBA title during a rally in Grant Park in 1998: Tony Kukoc from left, Ron Harper, Dennis Rodman, Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, Mayor Richard M. Daley, coach Phil Jackson and Gov. Jim Edgar.

Michael Jordan is not happy about the flight of his drive at the fourth hole of the LaSalle Chicago Open at Beverly Country Club in 1999.

Michael Jordan picks volunteers for a free-throw demonstration at the Michael Jordan Basketball Camp at Elmhurst College in 1998.

Michael Jordan smiles as he answers questions from the media after the Wizards announced that Jordan will join the Wizards as part owner and head of basketball operations in 2000.

Michael Jordan gets emotional during an ovation after player introductions in his return to the United Center with the Wizards in 2002.

The Wizards’ Michael Jordan jokes with the Spurs’ Steve Kerr during a 2002 game.

Michael Jordan drives between the Bulls’ Jalen Rose and Rick Brunson to put up a shot at the United Center in 2003.

Michael Jordan leaves the MCI Center after a meeting with team owner Abe Pollin in 2003. Jordan isn’t welcome back with the Washington Wizards, who abruptly dumped him because he failed to turn them around in his 3 1/2 seasons on and off the court.

Michael Jordan smokes a cigar as he watches the fourball match between Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods of the United States and Europe’s Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood on the second day of the 2006 Ryder Cup at the K Club golf course, Straffan, Ireland.  (Laurent Rebours/Associated Press)

Michael Jordan, part owner of the Bobcats, watches workouts during the basketball pre-draft camp in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in 2008.

Michael Jordan slaps talcum powder on Johnny “Red” Kerr during a tribute to Kerr at halftime in 2009.

Michael Jordan arrives with Yvette Prieto for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Symphony Hall in Springfield Hall in Springfield, Mass., in 2009.

Bobcats coach Larry Brown talks with managing partner Michael Jordan before a game in 2009.  (Chuck Burton/Associated Press)

Michael Jordan is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame during an Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Mass., in 2009.

Michael Jordan smiles after being introduced by former Charlotte team owner Bob Johnson in 2010. The NBA board of governors voted unanimously to approve the purchase by Jordan of a majority interest in Bobcats Sports & Entertainment.

Michael Jordan poses for pictures as other members of the 1991 championship team stand behind him as the organization commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Bulls’ first NBA championship. Beside Jordan is Michael Reinsdorf.   (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Bobcats owner Michael Jordan watches a drive during the ninth annual HoopTee Celebrity Golf Classic at Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge in Charlotte, N.C.

Bobcats owner Michael Jordan sits beside fiance Yvette Prieto during a game against the Bulls at Time Warner Cable Arena in 2012.

Michael Jordan watches the first group of the European and USA Ryder Cup Teams tee off on the 13th fairway on the first day of competition at the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club.

Bobcats owner Michael Jordan watches the team battle the Trail Blazers in 2014.

Bobcats team owner Michael Jordan shakes hands with the Heat’s LeBron James after the Heat defeated the Bobcats in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals in 2014.

Michael Jordan at a news conference at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris to present Palais 23, an event at the Palais de Tokyo from June 12 to 14 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Jordan Brand.

Michael Jordan arrives for day two of his court hearing against Dominick’s at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on Aug. 12, 2015.

Michael Jordan walks into the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on Aug. 17, 2015, as his case continues against the defunct Dominick’s supermarket chain.

Hornets owner Michael Jordan answers a question during a news conference on June 23, 2015, to announce Charlotte, N.C., as the site of the 2017 NBA All-Star game.

Michael Jordan speaks to the press after winning an $8.9 million settlement against Dominick’s on Aug. 21, 2015.

Hornets owner Michael Jordan and his wife, Yvette Prieto, laugh as they watch the action late in the second half against the Bulls. The Hornets won 130-105 in Charlotte, N.C.

Hornets owner Michael Jordan watches the action in the second half against the Celtics on Oct. 29, 2016.

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Michael Jordan during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Nov. 22, 2016. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation’s highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators.

Hornets owner Michael Jordan loads boxes with goods for Hurricane Florence victims as he makes an appearance at Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in Charlotte, N.C. on Sept. 21, 2018. The Hornets NBA basketball team packed food boxes as part of hurricane relief efforts.