The never-ending, persistent rumors surrounding Phil Jackson’s future are back. Unsurprisingly, the latest chatter involves the Zen Master’s old team in Los Angeles: The young, hungry, well-coached Lakers.
According to Mark Heisler of the Orange County Register, the possibility of Jackson bolting New York to join the Lakers still very much exists:
Jackson and his fiance, Lakers co-owner Jeanie Buss, both deny it’s happening. That’s absolutely true … as far as it goes … until Phil’s opt-out on July 1, 2017, with insiders close to both saying he could still wind up with the Lakers.
Not that Jackson is sitting around thinking about the Lakers at present with other immediate challenges, like sticking it to everyone who says he can’t do his present job.
Like all issues involving free agency, Phil’s availability will depend on the last thing that happens this season. The Knicks’ finish will decide if owner Jim Dolan is happy paying Jackson $12 million annually, which will decide if Phil feels like staying. Or maybe it’s the other way around. In any case, the situation is fluid.
I’d make the odds 50-50 since it doesn’t take as much as it once did to please Knicks fans. Leaving out the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season when the team reached the NBA Finals as a No. 8 seed before being mowed down by San Antonio, the Knicks haven’t been an elite team since Pat Riley left – 21 years ago, so long ago that Jackson was coaching the Bulls and had won only three of his 11 titles.
For Phil Jackson, a tumultuous, well-documented three-year stint with the Knicks could soon be coming to a close. Jackson has the opportunity to re-join a franchise next summer that could use veteran guidance, should he ultimately choose to opt out of his contract with New York.
Jackson spent a decade serving as Lakers coach, leading the team to five NBA championships and coaching the likes of Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Pau Gasol and Ron Artest.
The majority of fans in Los Angeles would welcome Jackson back with open arms if he chooses to come back — Nonetheless, July 1st is still seven months away, and Jackson remains focused on the success of the Knicks in the present day.
As next summer nears, however, one must wonder where Jackson’s focus will actually be.
