Phil Jackson To Meet With Raptors

Phil Jackson is reportedly “itching” to get back to the NBA. Well, he may have found a team to scratch that itch. The 11-time NBA champion will reportedly meet with the Toronto Raptors this week about a management position.

Jackson said recently that he wants to return to the NBA but he isn’t looking for a coaching position. Instead, Jackson wants to run an NBA team like Pat Riley does with the Miami Heat.

CBS Sports reports that Jackson will listen to a pitch from the Toronto Raptors. Jackson said that he wants to explore other options before he makes a decision but it appears that the ball is moving.

CBS writes: “Phil Jackson will listen to a pitch from the Toronto Raptors to take a leading role in their basketball operations, but the 11-time champion coach also wants to explore options with other potential suitors.”

Jackson may want to work with in a major market like he has in the past but a transition to Toronto isn’t that far fetched. Jackson is good friends with Tim Leiweke, the CEO of Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Raptors. Leiweke used to run AEG, the company that owns the Los Angeles Kings, but recently moved up to Toronto.

A source told CBS that Leiweke is “very well-connected in the league, and he has to rebuild (the Raptors) franchise … He’s about championships. They didn’t just bring him in there to mind the house.”

Could Phil Jackson be a key to Leiweke’s plan in Toronto?