Speaking to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Michelle Beadle on Monday, Buss affirmed Jackson's desire to keep his current post with the New York Knicks and downplayed the likelihood he'd work for the Lakers again (via Shelburne):
No. To visit, yes..but in terms of basketball, he's committed to New York for many years. He's building something there. He has a mission, he's on that journey to get the team back to where he believes it can be and it will be. He's a former Knick...he loves New York, he loves the fans, he wants to make them proud. In terms of the Lakers, we have a front office. They're putting together a team...they have a vision. I'm excited to see what the future holds for us. So, to answer your question....no, there's no plans for Phil to come back here.
Given the nature of the relationship between Buss and Jackson—the two are engaged—and his past success with the team, the Zen Master will seemingly always be linked with the Lakers, no matter his situation elsewhere.
Buss has also been open about the fact her brother Jim is working against a ticking clock. Jim told USA Today's Sam Amick last October that he intends to stick to his timeline of giving up his job as Lakers executive vice president of basketball operations if Los Angeles isn't a contender by the end of next year.
In a February interview on USA Today's NBA A to Z podcast (via Amick), Jeanie laid out what those expectations entailed:
I think that [Jim] was very sure of himself when he promised that timeline, and I think that he has everything he needs to fulfill that promise of getting the team back competitive. And when I say competitive, it's competing for the Western Conference Finals, which would mean at least second round (of the playoffs)—if not mo...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
