New York Knicks president Phil Jackson is reportedly active again in his coaching search with sources saying that the Hall of Fame coach has already discussed the job with Derek Fisher.
According to ESPN New York, Jackson had a phone conversation with Fisher, and is planning to meet him personally to gauge his interest in making an immediate jump to coaching similar to what Jason Kidd did last season.
Fisher, who is also being targeted by the Los Angeles Lakers, recently said that he is not yet thinking about coaching next season as he is still aching to win one more title as a player after failing to do it this year as the Oklahoma City Thunder lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals.
Jackson recently put his coaching search on hold after his top target, Steve Kerr, spurned the Knicks' offer, and accepted a deal to coach the Golden State Warriors next season.
The 11-time NBA champion coach made it no secret that he is looking to hire a coach who previously played for him, or worked under him as an assistant coach.
"I like to have a relationship -- a prior relationship -- with a coach, so that we know that we've gone through some kinds of issues together, we've dealt with some type of battle situations, we've had conflicts, and we've had disagreements, and we know how to work things out," Jackson said.
However, the Hall of Fame coach has also interviewed veteran coach Mike Dunleavy, creating speculations that Jackson is now open to consider other options.
ESPN also reported that former Warriors coach Mark Jackson, who is a fan favorite in New York, is on Jackson's short list, but it is still unknown at this point whether or not Phil Jackson is serious in considering the former Knicks point guard.
"Jackson also hasn't entirely ruled out talking with Knicks fan favorite Mark Jackson, who has rejoined ESPN as a broadcaster after his dismissal by the Warriors. But sources insist that Jackson's preference is to hire a young coach who he can mold," ESPN reported.
