NBA Rumors Round-Up
NBA Rumors: Could Phil Jackson Coach Knicks?
Updated15 Oct 2021
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Going to be a lot of public pressure on Phil to hire one of these 3; Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy but especially Phil Jackson.
With Steve Kerr choosing the Golden State Warriors over the New York Knicks, you have to wonder if Phil Jackson will consider coaching the team in addition handling to his front office duties.
A number of reports have indicated that Jackson was so confident that he would land Kerr given their close relationship that he didn’t have a Plan B in place. So if New York isn’t able to make a splashy hire, will Jackson return to the sidelines and coach the squad?
As Isola tweeted, there will be pressure on Jackson to return to coaching since he wasn’t able to land Kerr and he’s clearly the best option for New York. He reportedly wants the team to run the triangle offense and who better to implement that than Jackson himself? Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy are interesting candidates as well, but you have to think that Jackson has at least considered a return.
League source: SVG is a big fan of Greg Monroe. Called Monroe last night when deal was final. Ownership group highly fond of Monroe.
Not saying that Monroe won’t leave. If a max offer comes it becomes dicey. But Pistons don’t want 6-10, talented big to just walk.
Shortly after the Detroit Pistons hired Stan Van Gundy as their head coach and president of basketball operations, Sporting News reported that “there is near certainty among league executives that Monroe has played his last game for Detroit,” citing league executives.
Ellis quickly shot down that rumor, reporting that Van Gundy called Monroe last night after finalizing his agreement with Detroit.
Obviously, Monroe could leave if the Pistons decide not to match a max contract for the restricted free agent, but Ellis disputed the notion that Van Gundy doesn’t want Monroe on his team.
Ellis also tweeted that Van Gundy “doesn’t make rash decisions” so it’s too early to say that someone is out the door. At the end of the day, Monroe is an asset and it would be a mistake for Detroit to lose him for nothing this summer.
“We love Kerr. Incredibly prepared. We got him because of our players. The Golden State Warriors’ future is bright,” Joe Lacob says in text.
“Bob (Myers) and Steve (Kerr) are going to be fantastic. I am ecstatic,” – Joe Lacob said.
Lacob on Kerr: “Very bright. Very personable. Very, very prepared. I have always liked him… but he sold our group. Bob, Jerry, loved him”
Joe Lacob also said in text that Steve Kerr is a “great organizational fit.”
It seemed like Kerr to New York was inevitable due to his connection to Phil Jackson, but Golden State was able to steal him away traveling to Oklahoma City last night, where Kerr was broadcasting the Thunder-Clippers game for TNT. The Warriors met with Kerr last night and were able to reach an agreement on a five-year, $25 million deal today.
This is a lot of money for a first-time head coach, especially when compared to other recent hires without coaching experience. Brooklyn Nets head coach Jason Kidd reportedly received a four-year, $10.5 million deal with a team option in year four and only $7.5 million guaranteed. But Kerr had leverage since he had the Warriors, Knicks, Utah Jazz and TNT competing for his services.
Kerr seems like a perfect fit for Golden State, as Lacob said, and it will be very interesting to see if he can have success in his first stint as a coach.
