According to a report from Frank Isola at the New York Daily News, the man with 13-NBA Championship rings (11 coaching, two playing) is headed back to the team where he won those Championships as a player. However, he is taking on yet another new role in the NBA. It would appear that the New York Knicks are set to come to an agreement with Phil Jackson to become Team President, and oversee all aspects of the clubs basketball operations.
The move by Jim Dolan, owner of the Knicks, is a big one. After a disastrous season this year, Jackson will be tasked with putting together a roster and coaching staff that can bring the team back to glory. His first order of business will be dealing with Carmelo Anthony as the Knicks Superstar, and 2012-13 NBA leading scorer, could become a free agent this summer.
According to Isola, the deal is extremely lucrative for Jackson.
The Daily News has learned that Dolan has solicited the help of Bradley, Jackson’s former Knicks teammate and longtime friend, to serve as an intermediary in the club’s negotiations with the Hall of Fame coach, who is contemplating a lucrative deal to run the Knicks….
The source claims that reports of Jackson being offered an annual salary of $12 million are erroneous and that Jackson could be looking at a deal that pays him in excess of $15 million. The person close to Jackson also indicated that the two sides have had preliminary discussions about Jackson possibly owning a minority stake in the team.
Jackson will also be allowed to run the Knicks from Los Angeles part of the time during the season. Jackson lives with fiancee Jeanie Buss, (co-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers). The move should make for some interesting dinner time conversations when the Lakers and Knicks play, or if both teams are trying to land the same high-profile free-agent.
While it has been rumored for days the Knicks and Jackson were close to a deal, now the two sides have reached an agreement in principle, reports the New York Post in a later update.
Phil Jackson has reached an agreement in principle to oversee the Knicks basketball operations and “president’’ will be in his title, according to a league source.
All that’s left is the lawyers finalizing the last contract details by week’s end before Jackson officially returns to the organization that drafted him and where he won two titles as a player.
The biggest question going forward is how will Jackson and Dolan be able to co-exist. Jackson may have incredible clout as a coach, but it is his first time as an NBA executive and Dolan is the type of owner who expects instant results. The dynamic that will play out will be an interesting one to say the least.
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