Not only is Phil Jackson currently having to coach his team back to another NBA Finals, but now he is in the midst of a contract negotiation with owner Jerry Buss.
Rumor has it Jackson is up for a hefty decrease in pay to make room for one of the free agents out of this historic class that's coming up in just a month.
Sources close to the situation are saying that contact has already been made by the Chicago Bulls to bring back the coach that put them on the map. We already know they're lobbying for LeBron James as well, and it's not crazy to think that Jackson would be drawn to another superstar.
Whatever happens in the Western Conference Finals might determine if Jackson stays or not.
There's really nothing to lose if Jackson does go to Chicago. He's already cemented himself into coaching royalty even if he does end his coaching career on a sub-par team. However, Chicago is a team that is on its way up.
Worst case scenario Jackson sails off into the sunset with at least ten rings, and maybe 11 if the Lakers win this year. In other words, I think Jackson has some wiggle room to do what he wants.
This offseason is going to be a busy one in the NBA and it looks like Phil Jackson wants a piece of the action. In the end I think Jackson stays where he's at in L.A. The situation is too comfortable and he's already made his millions.
It would be a great story seeing Jackson return to where he won six championships as a coach and possibly coach LeBron, but he's going to stay with a team that's going to continue to be contending for championships for years to come.
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