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Coach could move to another Lakers job
ESPN.com news services
By mutual agreement, Phil Jackson will not return as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN's David Aldridge and Jim Gray have learned.
Jackson has an opportunity to remain with the organization in another position and will decide in the upcoming days. The Lakers are expected to make an official announcement sometime tonight.
Also Friday, Kobe Bryant opted out of his contract. He will become an unrestricted free agent July 1.
Jackson left the Lakers' practice facility Friday smiling, although it was for the final time as the team's coach.
Jackson's five-year, $30 million contract expires at the end of the month. His stepping down as coach was discussed at his meeting with Lakers owner Jerry Buss later Friday.
Asked beforehand whether he was looking forward to meeting with his boss, Jackson smiled and replied: "Oh, yeah."
The prevailing sentiment had been that Jackson coached his last game with the Lakers on Tuesday night when they lost to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals.
"The No. 1 priority for us right now is to resolve the coaching situation," general manager Mitch Kupchak said Thursday. "We would hope to have that addressed in a short period of time."
Asked how Friday would end, Jackson replied: "The sun goes down and I'll be at the Greek Theatre watching Garrison Keillor," referring to a public radio show he planned to attend.
Jackson and Kupchak participated in season-exit interviews with Bryant, Derek Fisher, Gary Payton, Slava Medvedenko and Jamal Sampson before Jackson left the training facility.
Lakers spokesman John Black said Shaquille O'Neal canceled his exit interview through his agent, Perry Rogers. It's believed O'Neal was upset by some of Kupchak's comments a day earlier, when the GM left the door open to a possible trade involving O'Neal if the player demanded it.
Jackson coached the Lakers to championships in his first three seasons with them, giving him nine, which tied former Boston coach Red Auerbach for the most in NBA history.
In 14 seasons as a head coach, Jackson is 832-316 for a .725 winning percentage -- best in NBA history. His 175 playoff wins are the most ever, and his .717 postseason winning percentage is also tops.
Jackson, 58, coached the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls to championships in 1992-94 and 1996-98. Jackson then took a year off before becoming coach of the Lakers. His teams in Chicago and Los Angeles had a 9-0 record in the NBA Finals before this year.
Jackson had been discussing a contract extension, but the Lakers ended talks in February until after the season. Jackson's agent, Todd Musberger, was with the coach Friday.
Musberger said earlier in the week that Jackson "has never said that he has no interest in coming back."
Jackson said after the Lakers' 100-87 loss to the Pistons on Tuesday night that there was "a pretty slim chance" he'll coach the team next season.
While Kupchak said Thursday that dealing with Jackson's situation was the Lakers' No. 1 priority, he also made it clear that signing Bryant was a top priority.
Bryant didn't comment Friday except to shake hands with a couple reporters.
"Have a good summer. Thanks for everything," he said before leaving.
Coach could move to another Lakers job
ESPN.com news services
By mutual agreement, Phil Jackson will not return as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN's David Aldridge and Jim Gray have learned.
Jackson has an opportunity to remain with the organization in another position and will decide in the upcoming days. The Lakers are expected to make an official announcement sometime tonight.
Also Friday, Kobe Bryant opted out of his contract. He will become an unrestricted free agent July 1.
Jackson left the Lakers' practice facility Friday smiling, although it was for the final time as the team's coach.
Jackson's five-year, $30 million contract expires at the end of the month. His stepping down as coach was discussed at his meeting with Lakers owner Jerry Buss later Friday.
Asked beforehand whether he was looking forward to meeting with his boss, Jackson smiled and replied: "Oh, yeah."
The prevailing sentiment had been that Jackson coached his last game with the Lakers on Tuesday night when they lost to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals.
"The No. 1 priority for us right now is to resolve the coaching situation," general manager Mitch Kupchak said Thursday. "We would hope to have that addressed in a short period of time."
Asked how Friday would end, Jackson replied: "The sun goes down and I'll be at the Greek Theatre watching Garrison Keillor," referring to a public radio show he planned to attend.
Jackson and Kupchak participated in season-exit interviews with Bryant, Derek Fisher, Gary Payton, Slava Medvedenko and Jamal Sampson before Jackson left the training facility.
Lakers spokesman John Black said Shaquille O'Neal canceled his exit interview through his agent, Perry Rogers. It's believed O'Neal was upset by some of Kupchak's comments a day earlier, when the GM left the door open to a possible trade involving O'Neal if the player demanded it.
Jackson coached the Lakers to championships in his first three seasons with them, giving him nine, which tied former Boston coach Red Auerbach for the most in NBA history.
In 14 seasons as a head coach, Jackson is 832-316 for a .725 winning percentage -- best in NBA history. His 175 playoff wins are the most ever, and his .717 postseason winning percentage is also tops.
Jackson, 58, coached the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls to championships in 1992-94 and 1996-98. Jackson then took a year off before becoming coach of the Lakers. His teams in Chicago and Los Angeles had a 9-0 record in the NBA Finals before this year.
Jackson had been discussing a contract extension, but the Lakers ended talks in February until after the season. Jackson's agent, Todd Musberger, was with the coach Friday.
Musberger said earlier in the week that Jackson "has never said that he has no interest in coming back."
Jackson said after the Lakers' 100-87 loss to the Pistons on Tuesday night that there was "a pretty slim chance" he'll coach the team next season.
While Kupchak said Thursday that dealing with Jackson's situation was the Lakers' No. 1 priority, he also made it clear that signing Bryant was a top priority.
Bryant didn't comment Friday except to shake hands with a couple reporters.
"Have a good summer. Thanks for everything," he said before leaving.
