After a few years away from the NBA, it appears that 11-time NBA champion Phil Jackson may be close to returning.
According to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Jackson is leaning toward becoming a member of the New York Knicks’ front office:
While a decision has not been made, Phil Jackson is leaning toward taking a front-office job with the New York Knicks, a source close to the team tells ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.
Over the past few years, Jackson has been reluctant to return to the NBA in any capacity due to health reasons and the right opportunity not being there for the taking. Although Jackson was close to becoming the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers for a third time, the Hall of Famer was passed over for Mike D’Antoni and let it be known that his coaching career was over as a result.
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Despite the reluctance to return to coaching, Jackson has been itching for the right opportunity to return in a different role. Jackson has had ties with the Knicks since winning two titles with the team as a player back in the 1970s and seemed to be open to potential opportunities with the storied franchise.
Although Jackson has gone back and forth about his intentions to return to the NBA in the past, the front office job with the Knicks appears to be something he’s very interested in undertaking.
It may be only a matter of time before Jackson makes his return to New York to help turn around a franchise that can’t seem to right the ship.
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