Jackson understood to have declined the offer for now.
The New York Knicks reportedly met with Phil Jackson around two weeks ago to discuss the possibility of him becoming their next head coach.
The 68-year-old has previously coached both the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls and has a career record of 1,155-485 in 20 seasons which has brought him 11 NBA championships.
However, having decided to call a break on his coaching career, Jackson has been linked with numerous jobs since, and it appears as though the Knicks were ready to hand him the reigns this summer.
President and general manager Steve Mills reportedly met with Jackson and asked him about his interest in becoming the head coach, with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith revealing that sources close to the situation told him that Jackson was not interested at this time.
Nevertheless, the report brings into question the long-term future of current coach Mike Woodson, who has been forced to consistently battle rumours that he may be axed.
The Knicks snapped a seven-game losing streak with a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night, but it doesn’t end their struggle as they are 18 games under the .500 mark and five-and-a-half games adrift of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
With speculation linking Carmelo Anthony with an exit in free agency this summer, it is rapidly becoming a year to forget for Knicks fans, but the hope was that Jackson would lift spirits with his arrival.
Having been rejected by the former Lakers coach, it remains to be seen what the next move is for the Knicks who appear to be happy to allow Woodson to continue to the end of the current season at least.
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