Since Karl Malone retired from the NBA in 2004, he has received offers from multiple teams, including the New Orleans Hornets, to join their front office in some sort of capacity.

"Am I looking one day to be more involved and more active in (basketball)? Absolutely," Malone said as he sat at the Jazz's practice facility after helping franchise brass assess four first-round prospects. "But it's just a step ? kind of like starting off again, at the same place.
     
"I don't mind starting at the bottom, being on the sideline," he added. "When I came out of college (Louisiana Tech, in 1985), I did the same thing."

"I've been talking to the Jazz, really, for the last couple months," he said. "They called, and (asked) would I be interested in coming up and seeing what I think. And I said, 'Why not?'
     
"This is the reason I came," Malone added. "I wasn't 'passing through.' ... I have ambitions of things that I would like to try. It's 'a step.'

"I know being a coach ? assistant, head coach, whatever ? that's 'the grind' all over again," he said. "Another level, you have a little more leeway.
     
"I don't know if it will be 'full-time,'" Malone added. "In some capacity, who know? I'm not saying I'm throwing my hat in the ring. But it would have to be the right situation for me. And it would have to be the right situation for a team."