Despite all the speculation about possible moves to New York or a return to LA, the New York Post’s Peter Vescey suggests that Phil Jackson would be wise to wait.
In a battle between the Knicks and Lakers for Phil Jackson’s services, the Knicks might win because of the obvious issues with Kobe Bryant and because their interest is stronger right now.
But Jackson thinks he’ll have a few more options come this spring when he starts mulling the scenarios when more teams emerge.
Portland and Dallas could be destinations, among others. So while Jackson may have the Knicks seeded higher than the Lakers this moment, the list is expected to grow and it’s fruitless to guess which way this could turn. Remember, the Shaquille O’Neal of coaches is a free agent.
Sources say it is absurdly premature to decipher which way Jackson is leaning because there are dozens of issues that have to be addressed regarding both the Lakers and Knicks and potential other clubs. Knicks president Isiah Thomas has not spoken to Jackson and a source denies a report the Lakers ever offered Jackson a chance to finish out this season.
Jackson will be back from Australia in March and may not begin any interview process until later in the spring.
A variety of sources indicated the Lakers ” while acknowledging they would consider Jackson ” are not as gung-ho as the Knicks. The person believed to be pushing the Lakers’ scenario behind the scenes is Jackson’s girlfriend, Jeanie Buss, who is a Lakers executive and daughter of owner Jerry Buss.
One source connected with the Lakers said, “It’s farfetched but it could still happen.”