National Basketball Association

Report: Knicks offer Phil Jackson front-office position

Published Mar. 7, 2014 6:39 p.m. ET

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The New York Knicks have offered Phil Jackson a front-office job, according a New York Daily News report.

The Hall of Fame coach is expected to respond to the team's proposal, which is stated to be "more than just a consulting job," sometime next week.

Meanwhile, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith cited sources saying that Knicks president and general manager Steve Mills met with Jackson recently about the possibility of the 11-time NBA title winner becoming the embattled team's next head coach, but that Jackson had turned that position down.

The 68-year-old Jackson has recently expressed interest in a front-office position.

"There are a few (opportunities), but I shouldn't name them. It wouldn't be right to talk about it, name anything. But yeah, there are some," the former head coach told USA Today.

"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. So yeah, there is. I've had conversations. Some of them are feelers. 'Are you interested?' type of thing."

If Jackson does accept the Knicks' reported offer, it would be a return to the franchise for the NBA Hall of Famer, who began his career as a player for the team in 1967 — not to mention a much-needed boost for the ailing Knicks, who are 20-40 in the season thus far.