Jerry Buss in No Rush to Re-Sign Phil Jackson

Buss says negotiations with his highly-paid coach won’t begin until this summer. ESPN has the quotes: “Jerry Buss delivered some thoughts on the process and addressed recent reports of family tension regarding the re-signing of Jackson for next season. ‘If I were to go to him right now and said, ‘Phil, will you coach next year?’ He would say let’s wait until the end of the year and see how I feel,’ said Buss. ‘So, I don’t think it causes any tension, I just have to wait until then before a discussion begins [on a new contract].’ Both the coach and owner in recent years have re-evaluated Jackson’s contract after the season once the coach’s three-year contract expired in 2008. Jackson traditionally takes time away from Los Angeles after the playoffs and assesses his health at his Montana ranch. He is 64. Buss added: ‘I think from [the Lakers’] perspective we really want to get through the year, then take a deep breath and see where we are.”‘