Reports: ‘Strong belief’ Phil Jackson will leave Knicks, return to Lakers

After the firing of Knicks coach Derek Fisher, and an admission of failure on the part of team president Phil Jackson, there’s ‘strong belief’ that Jackson could eventually wind up in Los Angeles with fiancée Jeanie Buss and the Lakers, according to a report.

After the firing of Knicks coach Derek Fisher, and an admission of failure on the part of team president Phil Jackson, there’s ‘strong belief’ that Jackson could eventually wind up in Los Angeles with fiancée Jeanie Buss and the Lakers, The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports. According to Wojnarowski, he could hire Warriors assistant Luke Walton or former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau upon his arrival.

This report comes on the heels of a note from the New York Daily News’ Frank Isola that Jackson has an opt-out clause in his contract that he may exercise this summer.

• SHARP: How crazy are the Knicks?

Amid much chatter regarding the decision to let Fisher go, Jackson typed out the following statement on Tuesday:

Jackson spent a total of 13 years with the Lakers, winning five championships as the team’s head coach.

Kurt Rambis is currently serving as the Knicks’ interim coach. They are back in action on Tuesday night at 8 p.m. ET against the Wizards.

– Kenny Ducey