Several media outlets in the Chicago area are reporting that current TNT color analyst and former Bulls coach will wind up going back to the Chicago Bulls next season as ther new coach. As reported by ESPN:

Earlier this month, when linked to the Phoenix Suns' opening, Collins emphatically told ESPN.com that he had "no interest" in coaching again.

Yet it appears that Collins' close relationships with Bulls vice president of basketball operations John Paxson and owner Jerry Reinsdorf have led to an abrupt change of heart, enabling Chicago to continue its dramatic recovery from the disappointment of losing out to the New York Knicks in the race to hire Mike D'Antoni with a proven NBA winner. Last week, Chicago won the NBA's draft lottery despite posting the league's ninth-worst record this season.

Paxson insisted in a statement released Thursday afternoon that the sides have not finalized a deal, but it's believed that the team and Collins are merely waiting for the end of the Western Conference finals to make Collins' hiring official.

Collins released a statement through TNT saying, "I have spoken with Bulls management recently about their head coaching vacancy and will resume conversations after the conclusion of my work for TNT in the Western Conference Finals. There is no agreement in place." 

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