Phil Jackson will meet with Raptors, talk to more teams, according to report

Phil Jackson’s interest in returning to the NBA in a front office role could bring him north of the border, as the 67-year-old will listen to an offer from the Toronto Raptors to take a leadership role behind the scenes. Per CBS’ Ken Berger:

Phil Jackson will listen to a pitch from the Toronto Raptors to take a leading role in their basketball operations, but the 11-time champion coach also wants to explore options with other potential suitors, a person familiar with his plans told CBSSports.com.

Jackson... would covet a leading role in shaping a franchise from the coaching staff to personnel decisions. According to the person familiar with Jackson’s plans, he is keeping his options open but seems to prefer a role similar to Jerry West’s advisory role with the Golden State Warriors over a team presidency in the Pat Riley mold.

Jackson has been rumored to desire a return to the NBA in some role, and various teams have begun wooing the 13-time NBA Champion with overtures. The Raptors could be a fit, as he’s comfortable with the team’s new management. Tim Leiweke, former head of the Staples Center’s parent company, is now head of the Raptors’ parent company. But as Berger notes, he’ll listen to other teams too.

Jackson had apparently discussed becoming coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, but nothing came of that as the team opted to go with Mike Brown. Besides, Jackson has said several times he isn’t interested in coaching and had discussed being able to skip team road trips toward the end of his tenure with the Lakers, as the day-to-day grind of being a head coach wore on the aging Jackson.

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