Jackson set to be unveiled to media on Tuesday.
New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony appears to be pleased with the decision to appoint Phil Jackson as the franchise’s president of basketball operations.
Jackson will become the new president as of Tuesday when the Knicks will hold a press conference to unveil him to the media, and it appears to be the first move to help the organisation rebuild and become competitive again.
The former Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls coach will sign a five-year deal which is expected to pay him $12m annually, although it does not include an ownership stake and he will be tasked with a difficult objective of constructing a new roster where possible.
Much has been made of Anthony’s future as he is set for free agency this summer, but having previously hinted at being open to taking less money if the franchise can show him what they plan to do over the next few years, Jackson’s arrival also appears to have left him impressed.
“I’m a chess player. That was a power move right there. You know what I mean?” Anthony said, as reported by ESPN.
“So, now we’re going to see what’s the next move, but that was a great power move.”
Anthony can sign a deal with the Knicks that is a year longer and worth $33m more than any contract he could sign with another team, but he has suggested that money isn’t an issue at this stage of his career.
With Jackson arriving he believes that the Knicks now have the personnel that know how to build teams and win, and with 11 NBA championships behind him, Jackson may well be the key aspect of getting Anthony to re-sign this summer.
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