ESPN suggests that the deal is close to being announced.
The New York Knicks and Phil Jackson are reportedly expected to finalise a deal that will give the legendary coach control of the front office by the end of this week, according to ESPN sources.
Speculation has circulated more recently that Jackson may be using the Knicks to get a top job elsewhere, particularly with the Los Angeles Lakers, but the source insists that New York are confident that is not the case.
Jackson is expected to take over the Knicks’ basketball operations department from president and general manager Steve Mills, while Mills will remain with the organisation in a different role.
However, it is unclear when the decision will be made official, with different sources suggesting that it may not be until early next week until there is a press conference, while other media outlets have suggested that Jackson’s camp are not close to a deal at all.
“Everything is pretty much done,” the source told ESPN. “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.”
Nevertheless, despite the New York Post also reporting that an agreement in principle has already been reached, and that it is merely a matter of time before the legal teams finalise the contract, there are conflicting reports that there are various arrangements yet to be made.
Jackson still lives in Los Angeles with his fiancee Jeanie Buss, part owner of the Lakers, and so there is a degree of uncertainty still surrounding the situation until the official announcement is made and Jackson is paraded as the new president of the Knicks.
Meanwhile, it has been seen as an impressive move from owner James Dolan, with many tying in the appointment as a clear indication for free-agent-to-be Carmelo Anthony on how the Knicks plan to rebuild, with an 11-time NBA championship winner leading the way from the front office.
COMMENTS