Knicks part ways with Phil Jackson, focused on Raptors president Masai Ujiri
The New York Knicks and Phil Jackson are officially parting ways, the team announced on Wednesday morning.
The Knicks are focused on Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri in the wake of the split, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports’ Jeff Zillgitt.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
Knicks consultant Tim Leiweke, former CEO of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment group, which owns the Raptors, hired Ujiri as Toronto’s GM in 2013.
Since leaving the Raptors in 2015, Leiweke has been the CEO of Oak View Group, a sports and entertainment consulting firm.
One of his partners with the Oak View Group is Irving Azoff, a longtime friend of Knicks owner Jim Dolan. Azoff played a significant role in bringing Jackson to the Knicks.
“MSG Executive Chairman Jim Dolan and Phil Jackson announced today that, after discussing the future of the New York Knicks, they have mutually agreed to part company. Mr. Jackson is leaving his post as President of Basketball Operations, effective immediately,” a Knicks statement read.
"After careful thought and consideration, we mutually agreed that the Knicks will be going in a different direction,” said Dolan. “Phil Jackson is one of the most celebrated and successful individuals in the history of the NBA. His legacy in the game of basketball is unmatched. We wish him the best and thank him for his service to the Knicks as both a player and an executive.”
Knicks general manager Steve Mills will run the "day-to-day business of the organization over the short term," the statement read.
“I had hoped of course to bring another NBA championship to the Garden,” Jackson said in the statement. “As someone who treasures winning, I am deeply disappointed that we weren’t able to do that. New York fans deserve nothing less.”
Jackson, who was hired in March of 2014, oversaw a dismal three-year run that yielded no playoff berths. The Knicks went 80-166 in three full seasons under Jackson. His hand-picked coach, Derek Fisher, struggled mightily in his year and a half as coach before being replaced by current coach Jeff Hornacek ahead of last season.
The timing of the split is curious given that free agency begins Friday night. Jackson also guided the Knicks through last week's draft, which saw them select guard Frank Ntilikina, a proposed fit in Jackson's triangle offense.
The Knicks held onto prized centerpiece Kristaps Porzingis despite public remarks from Jackson suggesting they would listen to trade offers.
PHOTOS: Phil Jackson through the years
