Knicks News and Rumors: Phil Jackson to Make Decision About Offer From New York Knicks This Week

NBA Hall of Fame and 11-time NBA Champion Phil Jackson is reportedly ready to return to the sidelines as head coach for an NBA title contending team. 

According to an ESPN report on Saturday, the former coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls is open to coaching again, but teams looking for his service must consider several conditions—including granting Jackson more control in basketball decisions and an understanding that the head coaching job would only be for a short time.

The 68-year-old Jackson previously coveted a position similar to that of Pat Riley, who made decisions (free agent signings & trade) for the two-time defending champion Miami Heat for the past few years.

"While Jackson has made it clear to any team that has approached him that he prefers a front office role that would allow him to shape and mold a franchise the way Miami Heat president Pat Riley has, he is open to the possibility of coaching for a short period of time if it was necessary in a transition period for a franchise with championship aspirations," the source told ESPN.

Jackson reportedly received a head coaching offer from the New York Knicks, but the Zen Master declined, according to Stephen A. Smith of ESPN New York. However, the latest report from ESPN's New York Ian Begley indicated the Knicks are making a second try to convince Jackson to join his former team by offering an executive position in the team's front office.

Meanwhile, the New York Daily News reported the Knicks are expected to know Jackson's decision regarding the executive role in the team's front office sometime this week.

Jackson, who won six championship rings with the Chicago Bulls and added five more during his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, confirmed his intentions of coaching again in an interview with USA Today right after his appearance at the Sloan Conference on Sport Analytics recently.

"There are winners and losers in the NBA, and a lot of people are trying to reclaim their position or change their culture or whatever," Jackson told USA Today. "So yeah, there is [opportunity]. I've had conversations. Some of them are feelers. 'Are you interested?' type of thing."