HoopsHype.com Rumors

A spokesman for Gores indicated that this is an advisory role and not a formal position inside the Pistons organization. Joe Dumars, president of basketball operations, said he welcomes Jackson’s input. “Tom and I discussed using a consultant as part of our decision-making process in our search for a head coach and we feel that Phil Jackson is a great resource to use,” Dumars said. “I look forward to talking with Phil next week.” NBA.com

Detroit Pistons, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Owners, Tom Gores 

Dave McMenamin: D'Antoni on 'We want Phil!': "I knew what I was stepping into ... It's not the most pleasant thing, but not something that I was shocked" Twitter @mcten

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni 

Mark Heisler: It' still reported otherwise some places--but people close to Phil, MDA, #Laker brass agree Jerry nixed Phil for MDA--to play uptempo again. Twitter @MarkHeisler

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Coaching 

The Toronto Raptors, emboldened by the news that the Sacramento Kings apparently won't be moving to Seattle, have ramped up their pursuit of Phil Jackson to be their new team president, according to sources close to the situation. Sources told ESPN.com that the Raptors -- now being run by former Los Angeles-based sports mogul Tim Leiweke -- regarded the Seattle group that was trying to buy the Kings as the biggest threat to preventing Jackson from seriously considering their pitch. ESPN.com

Toronto Raptors, Phil Jackson, Tim Leiweke 

But now that the Kings appear poised to stay in Sacramento instead of being sold to the consortium led by Jackson fan Chris Hansen, sources say that the Raptors will be pursuing Jackson aggressively this week, believing that they rank as Jackson's most attractive current option for a new career in management now that he can reunite with Leiweke. ESPN.com

Toronto Raptors, Phil Jackson 

One source close to the situation told ESPN.com that Hansen and Jackson have "hit it off," sparking league-wide speculation that Jackson would be offered the chance to run the new Sonics in Seattle in the Pat Riley-style role he craves. But with a 12-owner committee recommending Monday that the Kings' move to Seattle be blocked, Toronto's seemingly long-shot odds of winning the Jackson sweepstakes would figure to have received a boost. ESPN.com

Toronto Raptors, Phil Jackson 

One source said that Leiweke's "vision and energy" and history of shared success at Staples Center with the 11-time championship coach ensures that Jackson will give the pitch strong consideration despite skepticism around the league about his willingness to relocate to Canada. ESPN.com

Toronto Raptors, Phil Jackson, Tim Leiweke 

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, a person familiar with his plans told CBSSports.com. CBSSports.com

Toronto Raptors, Phil Jackson, Coaching 

Jackson, 67, is not actively seeking a return to the NBA as a coach, but rather would covet a leading role in shaping a franchise from the coaching staff to personnel decisions. According to the person familiar with Jackson's plans, he is keeping his options open but seems to prefer a role similar to Jerry West's advisory role with the Golden State Warriors over a team presidency in the Pat Riley mold. CBSSports.com

Toronto Raptors, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Jerry West 

Multiple league sources have expressed doubts that Jackson -- whose fiancee, Jeanie Buss, has ascended to the lead ownership position with the Lakers -- ultimately will satisfy his basketball itch in Toronto. Similarly, sources say the prospect of joining forces again with Michael Jordan, owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, was not initially appealing to Jackson. CBSSports.com

Toronto Raptors, Phil Jackson 

The key component of a potential Jackson return would be the ability to hire a head coach who would implement his vision. With three head coaching jobs currently open -- Charlotte, Philadelphia and Detroit -- and with several more potentially becoming vacant in the coming weeks, there is no shortage of opportunities for Jackson to mold a team's culture. CBSSports.com

Toronto Raptors, Phil Jackson, Coaching 

Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov made overtures to Jackson for the team's head coaching position after Avery Johnson was fired this past season, and league sources expect the Russian billionaire to come calling again. The presence of an established general manager -- Billy King just signed a contract extension with Brooklyn -- would not necessarily be a prohibiting factor for Jackson to enter the fray. Jackson would serve largely as the visionary, with a day-to-day GM and front-office staff in place to execute it. CBSSports.com

Brooklyn Nets, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Mikhail Prokhorov, Billy King 

As Gasol decompresses from the season, his immediate plans include getting together with someone else who has showed loyalty to him: Phil Jackson. "We text, we e-mail and we've gotten together once [since D'Antoni was hired] also," Gasol told ESPNLosAngeles.com. "So, we have good communication, good friendship, and hopefully I'll see him in the next few days, too." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni 

Gasol said he had "certain desires that [Jackson] would be chosen," after Brown was fired, but he knows that Jackson coming back to the Lakers at this point is as much of a long shot as him staying with them. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni 

Phil Jackson was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March 2011, the former Lakers’ coach reveals in his new book. According to the O.C. Register, Jackson revealed the bad news to his team during the playoffs as what sounds like an attempt to motivate. The Big Lead

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Coaching 

After doctors assured him the cancer could be controlled by drugs temporarily, Jackson waited until after the season to undergo surgery. Jackson decided to divulge his situation to his players when he sensed the team was lacking something in the playoffs. The Big Lead

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Coaching 

“Shocking,” Pau Gasol said Saturday, remembering Jackson’s disclosure to the team. “But then you also could understand certain moments of his demeanor, energy and involvement because of what he was going through health-wise. It explained certain things. It was a shock. A difficult moment for the team.” Gasol said Jackson talked with team captains Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher privately before telling the whole team in a video session – but Jackson was left second-guessing the revelation in which he became teary-eyed as he spoke … the Lakers strangely fading in that series vs. Dallas. The Big Lead

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Coaching 

Michael Grange: Odds of #Raptors getting Phil Jackson slim, but MLSE will ask, according to sources. Twitter @michaelgrange

Toronto Raptors, Phil Jackson 

Michael Grange: And while Jackson-to-Raptors on exec role seems unlikely, same sources saying the same things regarding Leiweke to MLSE a month ago. Twitter @michaelgrange

Toronto Raptors, Phil Jackson, Tim Leiweke 

Now, a lot of people I respect suggest Jackson to Toronto is not far-fetched at all but it took me about 10 minutes to find someone who suggested Jackson wouldn’t leave his kids, grandkids and fiancé on the West Coast and that Seattle – if it happens – might be a more logical landing place for the former coach with more championship rings than any coach in the game. Toronto Star

Toronto Raptors, Phil Jackson