After Phil Jackson took over as president of the New York Knicks, the speculation started to circulate about how he intended to turn around the struggling franchise.
Many believe Jackson’s first major change would be replacing head coach Mike Woodson with someone familiar like Derek Fisher or Steve Kerr. It still remains uncertain if a change will be made at head coach, but if the Knicks miss the playoffs, there’s a good chance Woodson will not return next season.
— Celebrate March Madness With 25% Off The Entire Store! Use Code: FutureLaker —
Along with a potential change at head coach, Jackson may also consider bringing in some former Lakers like Metta World Peace and Lamar Odom. Reportedly, Odom met with Jackson earlier this week during the matchup between the Knicks and Brooklyn Nets according to Marc Berman of The New York Post:
For a second time, Phil Jackson met with a former Laker at halftime during a game as Knicks president. This time, it was a sit-down with Lamar Odom during Wednesday’s Knicks-Nets game.
Odom’s struggles to get back on the court in the NBA was well documented throughout the 2013-14 NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers showing interest. Although interest was expressed from two teams that he’s played for in the past, Odom was forced to go overseas to continue playing on the professional level, but a short stint in Spain didn’t end well.
The former Sixth Man of the Year knows the triangle offense as well as any player still playing in the NBA today. Jackson may very well give Odom another shot next season with the Knicks with the intention of reviving the offense in New York via Berman:
Jackson has admitted to being on “a talent hunt” and could look at former players familiar with the triangle offense.
At this point in time, there’s still a lot of unanswered questions in New York with no telling what the future holds for the storied franchise. The Knicks are on the verge of missing the playoffs and heads may roll as a result.
Along with potentially being on the outside looking in on the postseason, the future of Carmelo Anthony in New York remains uncertain as well. Anthony staying with the Knicks seems likely, but he may still want to test the free agent waters with plenty of teams like the Lakers, Houston Rockets and Chicago Bulls ready to show interest.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Lakers News: Jeanie Buss Talks Her Role And Phil Jackson On ESPN Radio