Mark Jackson has interest in Knicks coaching job, being bought out?

The New York Knicks may seem like a mess and will likely be in the market for a new head coach soon, but the job still has a lot of appeal. Former Knicks guard and current Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson is one of the guys who might be interested in the gig.

During a conversation with ESPN Radio’s “Mike & Mike in the Morning” Monday, Stephen A. Smith was discussing the Knicks’ potential hiring of Phil Jackson. Smith stated his opinion that there are other moves he thinks that would be better for the Knicks than hiring Phil for their front office.

“I would rather have Tom Thibodeau or Mark Jackson — who would be interested in coming here and would be interested in bought out of his contract in Golden State,” Smith said.

It’s unclear whether Thibodeau, who is under contract with the Chicago Bulls through 2016-2017, has interest in the Knicks. Rumors have said he could go to the Knicks, and one report even said he had an agreement in place to coach New York next season. He has denied that.

Similarly, rumors have said that the Knicks have their eye on Jackson. Jackson is in his third season with the Warriors and has led them to plenty of success. Would he want to leave the situation he has built there? Smith says he would, so that is something to watch.

Jackson being from New York and having played for the Knicks certainly will lead to plenty of speculation about him taking the job.