Apparently, former Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson has had enough of retirement. After nearly two seasons in retirement, the Zen Master has become increasingly interested in working with the NBA next season, according to ESPN.Jackson turned down the Brooklyn Nets coaching job earlier this season and has said that he's finished coaching. That still won't keep teams that are interested in his services from asking.
Jackson is reported to be interested in a front office job, taking on a role similar to Pat Riley with the Miami Heat or Larry Bird with the Indiana Pacers. Jackson has been mentioned for a front office job for the ownership group in Seattle attempting to buy the Sacramento Kings.
The Nets provide the best opportunity to come in and have wide-ranging powers. General manager Billy King has been Mikhail Prokhorov's man in the rebuild, but there's a way to give Jackson president powers while keeping King as the point man on deals.
It would be interesting and innovative to see Jackson as part-time coach and full-time president without having to do the actual negotiating. But if anyone's willing to make exceptions and put the money together for a part-time coaching position for Jackson so he doesn't have to travel with his health issues, it's the devil money-spender the Nets have in their owner with Prokhorov.
Jackson has never held a front office or personnel position, so that may be a deterrent in hiring a man with 11 championship rings to his credit.
