Phil Jackson Passes On Magic [Report]

Phil Jackson has decided against pursuing a role with the Orlando Magic, despite reported brief interest in a proposed position at the team’s front office.

The report by The Orlando Sentinel states that Magic CEO Alex Martins was presented with a scenario involving Jackson on Wednesday, but the proposer, Sam Vincent, stated that Phil declined. He said:

“It drew some interest from Phil. But in the end, Phil decided to go with another opportunity.”

Martins learned of Jackson’s bow out on Thursday, before he had the chance to run the proposal by team owner Rich DeVox. Martins said in an email statement, according to The Orlando Sentinel that:

“Not because of this specific situation, but because I have been consistent during the search that I won’t comment on specific candidates. I stand by my statement that we will put a premium on searching for Championship experience in the positions within in our search.”

Fox News reports that Phil Jackson ended his second coaching tenure with the Lakers in 2011, and was lined up to either take over as a team president or general manager, or even in a consulting role in discussions, with were being given serious consideration by Martins.

Vincent went on to say that:

“We lose a strong component in Phil, but it still has a lot of strength. I wanted to have Phil in the group.”

ESPN reports that Scottie Pippen believes that Jackson will return to the NBA. He told ESPN 1000’s “The Waddle & Silvy Show” that:

“I do see a lot of basketball left in Phil. He still has a great mind, a lot of knowledge. I know for a fact he had some physical problems going on with him that he needed to take care of. He’s underway with that right now, so hopefully his recovery and everything goes well. Hopefully, we can see him back in the game in the next couple, three years, maybe next year.”

Do you think that Phil Jackson will return to the NBA?