UPDATE 10:59 pm: Everyone who should be involved in these conversations about Phil Jackson to Orlando says they have no idea what we are all talking about. From the AP:
However, Jackson’s longtime agents, Todd and Brian Musburger, said Wednesday that the Magic has never contacted them about Jackson. And a league source familiar with the Magic’s search for a new general manager said that Vincent was not speaking for the Magic, nor are the Magic interested in hiring Jackson.
“One, Phil never voiced any interest in Orlando,” Todd Musburger said “never had us check it out, never checked it out himself. Two, Orlando never called.”
Here’s how this works. Sam Vincent (the former Bulls player under Jackson who would be the Magic GM in this scenario) is trying to work this out and he and his people are doing it all through back channels. There have been no formal conversations yet — call it plausible deniability. It’s how deals often get done. By the time the Magic and Jackson would actually formally start talking a foundation would be in place.
But these kinds of talks — from trades to coach movement — go on all the time, and 99 percent of the time nothing comes of it. This time it seems very unlikely anything actually happens. But it doesn’t mean there are not people pushing for it. And it helps them to get the public talking about it.
8:59 am: I’ve said here before that I expect Phil Jackson to find a role in the NBA again, just not as a coach. I think he’s done with that grind, but the guy loves competition and power. He’s not just riding off into a Montana sunset.
With that background, we bring you the report that the Phil Jackson to the Magic front office talk is not dead as was first reported last week. It has been revived, reports Sam Amick at Sports Illustrated.
According to the sources, the latest version of the proposal has Pacers assistant and ex-Lakers assistant Brian Shaw coaching the team and Hall of Famer and Bulls ambassador Scottie Pippen as the lead assistant. And as if Jackson’s potential price tag wasn’t daunting enough (he earned $12 million in his last year with the Lakers), one of the sources said he is asking for a slice of minority ownership in the franchise as well. The hope, of course, would be for Jackson to use his cachet to convince Dwight Howard to remain in Orlando for the long-term. Jackson’s agent, Todd Musburger, did not return a call for comment.
The idea is being pushed by former Bobcats coach (and Bulls player under Jackson) Sam Vincent, who would have a hands-on, day-to-day role in the front office. (It’s in their interest to have this public, also, to see if it fires up the Orlando fan base, thereby moving the needle with management.) Jackson would work remotely much of the time, either from his Montana ranch or Jeannie Buss’ home in Los Angeles where he still spends time.
Would just the mere name of Jackson really convince Howard to stay? I’m not convinced, it sounds to me like he just wants out, something this report confirms. Amick suggests the Magic aren’t convinced either
Yet fascinating as the idea might be, Magic CEO Alex Martins appears to be against the idea of having an absentee leader — no matter how many rings he has. In the plan, Jackson — according to one of the sources — would work in Orlando one week out of every month and agree to make six community appearances every month as well.
It sounds like a long shot still. But if the Magic are really looking to do something different and bring in a name guy who certainly has some clout, this would be a move to consider. Just don’t expect it to happen.
