Nets targeting Phil Jackson, Jerry Sloan and others for head coach position

Phil Jackson tops the Brooklyn Nets' head coach wish list. (James Devaney/Getty Images)

After exiting the first round of the playoff series, the Nets were quick to ax head coach P.J. Carlesimo. GM Billy King said he talked with ownership and "felt the time was now" to find a new coach. Even making it to the second round would not have affected the ultimate decision.

Owner Mikhail Prokhorov is looking for another big name to fill the coaching void, and Phil Jackson is at the top of the list. Jackson, currently 67 and assisting the Pistons in a short-term agreement, has publicly insisted he is no longer interested in coaching and prefers a front office position. King said on Sunday that won't stop him from reaching out to the 11-time champion.

Among other candidates for the position is former Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, who Deron Williams endorsed. From the New York Post report:

Williams said he “would love” to play again for Jerry Sloan, his old coach in Utah, and when Phil Jackson’s name came up, Williams said, “Who wouldn’t want to play for Phil Jackson?”