Phil Jackson Reportedly Interested in Lakers Drama Surrounding Russell Westbrook

Is Phil Jackson ready to get back to coaching?

Russell Westbrook hasn’t fit in very well with the Lakers this season, and that’s an understatement. According to veteran NBA insider Marc Stein, Westbrook’s prickly personality has been a problem, and not just when he seems to not want to fully engage with the media after games.

Via Marc Stein:

“Jousting with reporters in press conferences is apparently not the lone source of pushback these days from under-fire guard Russell Westbrook. There has been no shortage of defiance behind the scenes, I’m told, when coaches and teammates have tried to broach changes in role or approach with the former MVP. For all the obvious complexities involved in trying to move Westbrook when he’s owed a whopping $47 million next season at age 34, one league source described the idea of bringing him back next season as “impossible” based on current tension levels. The question then becomes: If the Lakers can’t construct a palatable trade, do they try to just buy Westbrook out? Or waive and stretch him?”

The week in NBA words before the derby …

What I saw (and heard) on my visit to Lakerland: https://t.co/2TfPdaJ3Hy

The NBA’s most disappointing team is? https://t.co/19CbqblUoi

NBA Power Rankings: https://t.co/4OlqAXbT3O

One-on-One with Dirk Nowitzki: https://t.co/OKxJ1hZv32

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 6, 2022

Now reports are Phil is keeping an eye on the drama unfolding. He’s been in contact with his former girlfriend Jeanie Buss.

“The dynamics surrounding the Russell Westbrook situation are known to have drawn his interest.”

Phil Jackson has been in frequent contact with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss about team matters all season long, sources tell @sam_amick and @billoram.

“The dynamics surrounding the Russell Westbrook situation are known to have drawn his interest.”

More: https://t.co/wPwC7xmclH pic.twitter.com/hZ3IYZjdI3

— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) March 7, 2022

If there’s one man who can figure out how to make things work in Los Angeles it’s Phil Jackson. That being said, Phil is probably not going to come out of retirement to coach, he’s probably too old at this point, and his health has always been an issue on any potential return to coaching.

Maybe the Zenmaster can hop on a call with Russ to set him straight…

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