Phil Jackson is not all about Kurt Rambis. He has apparently talked to Golden State Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton about coaching the New York Knicks next season.
We think.
And Walton refused.
We think.
Here’s the first lowdown courtesy of ESPN.com’s Ian Begley:
New York Knicks president Phil Jackson recently spoke to Golden State Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton about the club’s coaching vacancy, league sources confirmed.
After the conversation, Jackson told people within the Knicks organization that he believed Walton would stay with the Warriors, a source told ESPN’s Chris Broussard.
And here’s another tidbit from the New York Daily News‘s Frank Isola:
Luke Walton, according to NBA source, told P Jackson that as of right now he's not interested in NYK job. Unclear if/when they'll talk again
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) April 18, 2016
What does Phil Jackson himself have to say about all this?
Press accounts of coaching actions are untrue. Nobody has been asked nobody said no.
— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) April 18, 2016
Alriiiiiiiiiighty, then.
My gut feeling: Jackson probably talked to Walton already. And Walton probably already told him no. He is the ideal candidate for Jackson in many ways—someone who is familiar with the triangle, yet someone who, due to his experience outside that triangle, can help the Knicks win the press conference with their fans.
Too many outlets are also reporting similar things for this not to be true. Whether Jackson officially offered the position to Walton is pretty irrelevant. Some conversation had to take place.
That said, the Warriors are in the middle of a championship push. So perhaps there is a possibility Walton wouldn’t be fielding interviews for other teams. Plus, with Steve Kerr’s back issues, Walton could technically be in line to succeed him as the head honcho in Oakland. It may not be next year, or even the year after, or even the year after that. But if Walton has the opportunity to coach the Warriors within the next five years, he’s better off staying put, as a high-profile assistant, than bolting for a team like the Knicks, who are roughly six billion light years away from title contention.
