The New York Knicks continue to wait on a decision from Phil Jackson after the NBA coach was offered a front office position with the team. New York is starting to adjust their focus on the future instead of the disastrous season currently happening before their eyes. While all signs point towards Jackson accepting the job, Carmelo Anthony and head coach Mike Woodson are not paying attention to the moves.
According to ESPN.com, Jackson is expected to agree on becoming the president of basketball operations for the Knicks by the end of the week. League sources report the deal is essentially done and there are just a few little things to work out before the hire is officially announced. Jackson had been hinting at a possible return to the NBA, but not in a coaching format. Many believed he was prepared to take over the Lakers franchise, but the Knicks got to him first.
The potential Jackson hire is far from the mind of Anthony. The guard stressed to media that right now all he was focused on was making the playoffs and not who is taking over the front office.
"I don't even know what's going on with that. So it's hard for me to say something," Anthony said, via New York Daily News. "Nobody came to me about that. So until that time comes, I'm still not going to know what's going on until someone brings it to me."
NBA sources told the Daily News that Jackson reportedly wanted assurance from Anthony that he would be re-signing with the Knicks before making a decision of accepting a job with the team. Jackson wants a commitment from the team's biggest star that he will return so Jackson has someone to build around for the future. Most believe Anthony is eyeing greener pastures, but Jackson might be able to convince him to stay.
Woodson is taking the same approach as Anthony to say nothing at all regarding Jackson. If the former Lakers coach is hired, it could mean the end of Woodson. While he will likely be fired whether or not Jackson takes the job, a new team president could change things.
"Again, my job right now is I'm in a race to get this team in that eighth spot ... and that's what I'm prepared to do," Woodson said. "I'm trying to push guys, get them ready to play. Phil Jackson, I'm gonna stay away from that."
Woodson is aware he is on thin ice with the Knicks as the losses continue to pile up for the team that was originally expected to contend for a title. It is expected that he will be fired at the end of the season and that current Kentucky coach John Calipari or Steve Kerr who has a strong history with Jackson are the top candidates to replace him.
Calipari has stayed away from the pros, but Frank Isola of the Daily News believes the Kentucky coach will be the team's top option in the offseason. Kerr is known for having a strong basketball mind and Grantland's Bill Simmons said he believes the former player, general manager will be a fitting candidate.