When we first heard that the Knicks offered Phil Jackson a role in their front office, we weren’t surprised—of course the struggling Knicks would want the help of the Zen Master. But now we’ve got news that PJ is actually leaning toward taking the job, and, well: Wow. Per CBS Sports:
Phil Jackson is seriously considering the Knicks’ offer to join their front office in a role that would give him final say on basketball decisions, a league source told CBSSports.com on Saturday.
Jackson, 68, is said to be leaning toward taking the job if the structure is right, said the source, who has been briefed on the Knicks’ conversations with the 13-time NBA champion.
Jackson is considering a front office structure with Steve Mills and Allan Houston handling the day-to-day duties while reporting to Jackson, the person said. At this point, it is not clear whether the rest of the Knicks’ front-office lieutenants would stay if Jackson were to take the job.
Jackson, an 11-time champion as a coach — and two-time champion as a player for the Knicks — has stated he is finished on the sideline. The Knicks’ front-office job is extremely appealing to him “if the setup is right,” the person briefed on the discussions said.
But that, according to league sources, may be a big obstacle given Madison Square Garden’s complicated corporate structure and the overbearing influence of owner and Garden chairman James Dolan.
Jackson recently told USA Today that he was speaking with several teams about various front office roles. Indeed, the Knicks’ opportunity is not the only one he is considering. Jackson was expected to head up basketball operations for the Kings franchise if it had moved to Seattle last year. He also has served in an advisory role this season with the Detroit Pistons.
