As the Los Angeles Lakers further prepare for next season, Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson has offered to try to mentor and council Jeanie Buss, who is the president of business operations for the Lakers.
"I'm trying to counsel her on ways the team can improve," he said. "They're a mess, we know that because of their financial disorder right now, that's the thing they have to get straight right away."
Jackson also addressed the fact that the Lakers are far over the salary cap and are looking at $60-80 million in taxes in the upcoming season. With such a high payroll going into next season, Jackson feels under the new CBA, it really limits the team's flexibility.
"For them to be able to move and to adjust to the process that goes on in the NBA, you have to have flexibility. The [way] the league is structured with its new CBA and how it penalizes teams - you can't make moves," said Jackson. "[With] guys like Carmelo [Anthony] and LeBron [James] in a couple of years, you've got to be capable of making a challenge for those kinds of players."
As Jackson plans to continue counsel for his fiancé, he addressed rumors about wanting to return to an NBA sideline as a head coach.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Jackson says he's done coaching.
"Sometimes I feel I can still get out there and do it but the reality is I'm kidding myself," Jackson said at a "Live Talks Los Angeles" event at the Alex Theatre in Glendale on Wednesday.
Jackson added:
"I have no intention of coaching," said Jackson, reiterating that he's open to the idea of helping to shape an organization in the front office.
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