Phil Jackson Expected To Have Significant Voice In Lakers’ Coaching Search

Phil Jackson is back with the Lakers, but solely in an advisory role, and that role is not expected to change.

In other words, Jackson has no intentions of returning as coach. He will, however, have a voice in who the Lakers’ next coach will be.

Per multiple reports, Jackson will help lead the Lakers’ coaching search. In fact, he is expected to play a significant role in finding that coach.

The Lakers are looking to replace Frank Vogel, fired at the end of the season after they failed to reach even the play-in tournament.

Reported candidates include Warriors assistant Mike Brown (link), ESPN analyst Mark Jackson (link), former Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts (link), Bucks assistant Darvin Ham, Jazz assistant Alex Jensen (link) and former Wizards and Thunder coach Scott Brooks (link).

It is not known if Jackson himself has any interest in those names, or if they are on a list of GM Rob Pelinka, or if they are mere rumors drummed up by sportswriters.

All we know, for now, is Jackson is not interested in the job himself, and is merely expected to help find a coach to try to fix what was broken this past season.

Jackson owns 11 championship rings, coaching Michael Jordan the Bulls to six titles in the 1990s, and Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers to five more in the early-to-mid 2000s (though O’Neal was not around for the final two).

Follow Sam Amico @WireHoops