Last week, a report suggested that former Lakers coach Phil Jackson was interested in returning to an NBA role for next season. While it doesn't sound as if any of the current head coaching openings are enticing enough to attract the 11-time champion, Jackson confirmed that he has interest in a comeback.
Speaking to Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle (hat tip to HoopsHype), Jackson said he's talked to three or four teams and that "there are some interesting situations that are presenting themselves." However, according to Jackson, those discussions involve potential front-office roles rather than coaching positions.
While we wait to see if anything comes of Jackson's talks with NBA teams, let's check in on a few notes from around the Pacific Division:
- With the Lakers two losses away from elimination, Tom Ziller of SBNation.com looks ahead to the summer and identifies teams that could be fits for Dwight Howard if he considers leaving L.A. in free agency.
- According to Earl Smith, J.R. Smith's father, his son turned down a "superior offer" from the Lakers last summer to sign with the Knicks, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post. Given the Lakers' cap situation, it's unlikely that L.A. could have made a much better offer than New York, unless it involved some sort of sign-and-trade component.
- Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com examines Vinny Del Negro of the Clippers and Lionel Hollins of the Grizzlies, two coaches who could be on the hot seat if their teams don't advance out of the first round.
- Bob Young of the Arizona Republic isn't sure that Charles Barkley knows what he's getting into if he geniuinely wants to be the Suns' GM, but suggests that Phoenix's current list of candidates for the spot isn't exactly inspiring.