Mullin "mulling" pros & cons re Rice I sense.
Paultz, I don't think CM is making any decision on his own. I would assume (hope) that Bobby Gempesaw and Anton Goff the AD would need to be involved.
I am sure the Board in some way (via Gempesaw) will be consulted if true.
If he wants him, my opinion is he will get him. His availability and interest in SJU is probably not a surprise to folks you referenced, especially Goff. Let's see how this plays out. Mullin may not be interested at the end of the day.