New York Knicks president Phil Jackson has an opt-out clause in his contract after the season. He also sees the young, improving Los Angeles Lakers on the west coast.
The temptation to take advantage of either of those opportunities, however, is not strong.
“I have not entertained that,” Jackson told ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan when asked about exercising the Knicks opt-out. “I’m looking for this Knicks team to get back into a situation where they are competitive. Do I have to win a championship before I feel I’ve done the job I’ve been asked to do, which is to bring this group back to that competitive level? No, I don’t. We’re starting to make progress. I like a lot of the things we are doing here. But we’ve got more to do.”
As for the Lakers, Jackson is pleased to see them putting together a fine young core, but it’s not something he has interest in going back to run.
“They’re moving forward in the right direction,” Jackson said. “Luke [Walton] has them engaged, Brian [Shaw] is an associate head coach; they have a core group of guys that will get it done. It was never important to me to go back and be a part of that. Especially not now. I have this job, this commitment.”
The rumors of Jackson returning to Los Angeles never quite went away, despite denials like this. It really doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. Jackson has never said or done anything to indicate anything other than a total, firm commitment to the Knicks.
