Oct 13, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks president Phil Jackson watches the game against the Toronto Raptors during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden
Oct 13, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks president Phil Jackson watches the game against the Toronto Raptors during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden REUTERS

Phil Jackson, who coached the Los Angeles Lakers to five championships in the 2000s, could return to the Purple & Gold as the new president of basketball operations by the summer of 2017, per several reports.

A few years ago, Lakers co-owner Jeanie Buss, the fiancé of Jackson, said during an interview that her brother, Jim Buss, would be forced to step down from his role as team president if the team couldn't make deep runs in the playoffs by the 2017-18 season. Even though the Lakers have begun the new season with a 9-9 record, Luke Walton's team is unlikely to make too much noise in the playoffs in the near future.

If Jim Buss steps down as president, Jackson, currently under contract with the New York Knicks, is expected to swoop in and take charge of the Lakers, according to Mark Heisler of The Orange County Register.

Heisler, in his report, put the odds at "50-50" for Jackson to leave New York and return to Los Angeles next summer. "I’d make the odds 50-50 since it doesn’t take as much as it once did to please Knicks fans."

The report further added Jim Buss could be forced to vacate his post by this time next year. "Instead, she (Jeanie Buss) took Jim up on his off-hand vow to leave if he couldn’t get the team back in two years – which she took to mean making the Western Conference finals by this season – or in other words, so long, Jimbo!"

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Is the Zen Master returning to the Lakers?

Jackson, entering the final year of his deal with the Knicks, has an opt-out clause in his contract. Despite the murmurs, Jackson recently told ESPN's Jackie MacMullan that he had no intention to return to L.A. "They're (Lakers) moving forward in the right direction. (Rookie coach) Luke (Walton) has them engaged, Brian (Shaw) is an associate head coach; they have a core group of guys that will get it done. It was never important to me to go back and be a part of that. Especially not now. I have this job, this commitment."

For many years, it was a foregone conclusion that Jackson would return to L.A. after his stint in New York. And when Walton, who was Jackson's protégé during his time as a player with the Lakers, was hired, many league insiders were quick to hint at a possible Walton-Jackson reunion in Los Angeles.

Unless the Lakers make a miraculous postseason run next year, it's very likely that there is an upheaval in their front office. And if that were to happen, Phil Jackson could indeed return to L.A. and take charge of the Lakers.

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