NBA Rumors: Phil Jackson To Be Handed Control Of New York Knicks Front Office By Week's End

Looking to improve the franchise heading into next season and beyond, the New York Knicks and legendary coach Phil Jackson could soon become partners in an attempt to rejuvenate a struggling organization. Jackson stepped away from the coaching circles following the 2010-2011 season in which he guided the Los Angeles Lakers to 57-25 regular season mark and trip to the Western Conference semifinals. Though he’s stated in the past that the 2011 campaign in California would be his final, the 68-year-old future Hall of Famer is reportedly nearing a deal that would give him control of front office activities at Madison Square Garden.

“Everything is pretty much done,” an unnamed source told ESPN recently regarding talks between Jackson and the struggling Knicks. “There are just some little things here and there that need to be worked out, but the Knicks are very confident that this is essentially done.” With the possibility of Jackson’s deal being completed by the end of the week – a deal that would put Jackson in charge of New York’s basketball operations department even though current president and GM Steve Mills will remain with the organization – loyalists of the team are exciting about finally heading in a positive direction under the guidance of a proven winner.

Jackson won six titles with the Chicago Bulls from 1990 to 1998 and another five in Los Angeles, guiding the Lakers to championships in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2010. Considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of professional sports, Phil Jackson is now focusing on returning to the game in a hands-on front office role, though it is not known how much time he’d be willing to spend in New York. Citing health issues as one of the reasons he stepped away from the game in 2011, Jackson said he was no longer able to travel as much due to ongoing problems with his legs. Despite the physical problems, the Deer Lodge, Montana native said recently that teams have consistently reached out to him concerning multiple positions.

“There are a few opportunities, but I shouldn't name them,” he said in a recent interview at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference. “It wouldn't be right to talk about it, name anything. But yeah, there are some. There are winners and losers in the NBA, and a lot of people are trying to reclaim their position or change their culture or whatever. So yeah, there is. I've had conversations. Some of them are feelers. "Are you interested?" type of thing. I did go out to Detroit last year and sit with Pistons President Joe Dumars.

“I guess we weren't successful, but I really encouraged owner Tom Gores that the general manager has to be able to pick his coach so they can win it together,” he continued. “And Joe wanted Maurice, so it didn't work out, unfortunately for Maurice. I developed a relationship with the owner, who lives in LA. We have conversations.”