An important league source reports that former Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson is close to accepting an important position at the New York Knicks’ front office. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith says that the exact job title remains unclear, but that it would entail “more than just consulting” responsibilities.

The addition of the Hall of Fame head coach to the struggling New York team might finally turn the tables for them.

The struggling Knicks team has been pursuing the Hall of Fame head coach for a while, in hopes of recovering from their dismal standing in the current season. According the same source, while there is no final answer from Jackson as of yet, the Knicks “have a sense of what’s going to happen” – and that is Jackson deciding to join the team.

New York Daily News’ Frank Isola reported that Jackson recently met with New York Knicks owner James Dolan to discuss a potential union with the franchise. Dolan initially approached the idea of a coaching gig for Jackson, but Jackson did not seem keen on the idea of going back to the sideline at his age of 68.

Jackson has not coached in the NBA since 2011, but rumor has it that the coaching legend is interested in going back to the basketball world. News of Jackson possibly joining the Knicks surfaced in 2012, when Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times reported that the team made a $50 million offer for Jackson to coach for four years. ESPN’s Smith reinforced those rumors when he reported that New York Knicks President and General Manager Steve Mills had met with Jackson to introduce the possibility of him taking over the coaching position in New York City.

Phil Jackson Appears Ready To Take New York Knicks Job – http://t.co/DEGBWJtFac

— DJ Enuff Hot97 (@djenuff) March 11, 2014

Jackson is expected to give an official answer within the next few days. Although he has been clear about not coaching the team, Knicks guard J.R. Smith thinks that his involvement in the team’s basketball operations will benefit them greatly.

I hope Phil Jackson don’t take that job. It’ll force them fools to think outside of that Phil Jackson box

— Cilantro N. Peppers (@Guac_Maven) March 11, 2014

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