Could Phil Jackson’s next job require a passport?
The Toronto Raptors are interested in making a run at hiring Jackson and putting him in charge of personnel decisions as an executive, a la Pat Riley in Miami, according to ESPN.com.
Though there is rightful skepticism about the the team’s ability to convince the legendary coach to relocate to Canada and take over a team far from contention, Jackson is willing to listen to the Raptors’ pitch with an open mind because of his friendship with Tim Leiweke, an L.A.-based sports mogul who is now running the team, according to a source.
“There are some interesting situations that are presenting themselves, but I really haven’t made up my mind yet what I’m going to do,” Jackson told the San Francisco Chronicle, also mentioning that three or four teams have contacted him about positions that don’t involve coaching.
Jackson did say that he is interested in a developing team “where you’d have the influence in [selecting the] coaching staff and the kind of culture that goes along with it.”
With Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak running basketball operations for the Lakers, and the team stating the Mike D’Antoni will return to coach the team next season, speculation regarding Jackson returning to his former team doesn’t account for a lack of available positions, despite his engagement to Lakers executive Jeannie Buss.
After two seasons in retirement, Jackson has been reported as having an itch to return to the NBA next season, preferably as an executive or consultant, and not as a coach.
Earlier this season, Jackson declined an opportunity to potentially take over as coach of the Nets, following the team’s firing of Avery Johnson.