The Zen Master is in the house.
The Knicks have announced a Tuesday morning press conference at the Garden during which they will announce the hiring of Phil Jackson as team president, bringing his Hall of Fame career full circle as he looks to win his third championship ring as a Knick.
Jackson’s Chicago-based agent, Todd Musburger, and Knicks officials, including James Dolan lieutenant Barry Watkins, were in Los Angeles with the former Lakers coach to sign the contracts Friday, according to a source. A source confirmed an ESPN.com report Jackson will be paid approximately $12 million per year. The report also said the deal’s length is five years, which would make it worth about $60 million.
“But he’s not doing it for the money,’’ one Jackson confidant said.
During Jackson’s coaching negotiations with the Lakers last season that fell apart, he asked for $12 million a year. He made $12 million in his second-to-last season coaching the Lakers in 2009-10, but took a “pay cut’’ to $10 million in 2010-11, his final season.
Jackson reached an agreement in principle Tuesday to become club president after giving Dolan, the Knicks owner, a verbal commitment last Saturday night.
Jackson has told confidants he will try to “change the culture’’ around the Knicks, who desperately need a change after not winning a title in 41 years, and playing to 14 games under .500 this season. Jackson has two rings as a Knicks power forward and an NBA-record 11 as a head coach.
He rejoins a franchise in a major bind as it moves forward with Carmelo Anthony’s long-term future in doubt, a long shot to make the playoffs, lacking a first-round pick in this June’s loaded draft and no cap space until 2015. Jackson likely will change coaches at season’s end despite Mike Woodson having one year left on his pact, and he is expected to look for a coach with a history of running Jackson’s triangle offense. Steve Kerr, who played for Jackson with the Bulls, is expected to be a candidate, but he could also consider former Lakers assistants Brian Shaw, Jim Cleamons and Kurt Rambis.
Jackson will try to do what Pat Riley did so successfully in leaving the coaching sidelines to be president of the Heat, with whom he has won three titles.
Steve Mills was hired as Knicks president and general manager four days before training camp and will remain in a big role because of his connections with agents, specifically powerful Creative Artists Agency. However, once disaster struck this season, the franchise needed more of a power broker than Mills, who was not permitted to speak to the media the entire regular season.
The only difference could be Dolan stepping back and letting the Zen Master run the show with minor interference.
“If Phil wins, Dolan will definitely leave him alone,’’ one Jackson source said.
Jackson is not expected to live full-time in New York. He currently resides in Playa Del Rey, Calif., with his fiancée, Jeanie Buss, the Lakers’ president. The fact the Lakers could have interest in Anthony as a free agent this offseason becomes another conflict with Jackson and Buss working for competing franchises.
One source said he believes Jackson sought a “50-50 split’’ in terms of his living arrangements. Buss is periodically in New York on business. Buss has supported Jackson’s previous tangos with the Knicks, as she also loves New York.
“She’s happy for him,’’ a source close to Jackson said.
In 11 seasons with the Knicks, Jackson appeared in 732 games, ranking fifth on the franchise’s all-time list for most games played.
Jackson’s ability to make the transition to the front office from head coach will be intriguing. He is known as a master at team bonding, but not at building NBA rosters. He has not built a roster since the last time he worked in New York, when he spent five seasons in the CBA with the Albany Patroons in the 1980s as head coach and in charge of personnel.
The Knicks, however, believe his leadership style is a huge asset. Riley has had a hands-on approach with the coaching staff and players in Miami and sources said they believe Jackson will have a similar style. Jackson also knows he will need to be a major influence in convincing 2015 free agents to come to New York.
Jackson’s view on Anthony and vice-versa will shape the franchise’s future. Jackson is a big proponent of sacrificing everything for the team, and Anthony has been questioned for being too egocentric at times.
In his latest book, “Eleven Rings,” Jackson wrote: “It takes years of nurturing to get young athletes to step outside their egos and fully engage in a group experience. The NBA is not exactly the friendliest environment for teaching selflessness. Even though the game itself is a five-person sport, the culture surrounding it celebrates egotistic behavior and stresses individual achievement over team bonding.’’