Phil Jackson isn’t joking around as he’s reportedly making big moves for the Lakers to trade LeBron James and keep Russell Westbrook. The shocking news was reported by Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times.
The New York Post has the details;
But just when it seemed like things couldn’t become any more chaotic in the Los Angeles Lakers’ front office, they dusted the cobwebs off of their old head coach, brought him back into the fold, and handed him the reigns as one of their top “advisors.” As if that move by the Lakers’ front office wasn’t questionable enough, Jackson is already making big waves by reportedly expressing his desire for the team to trade LeBron James in favor of retaining Russell Westbrook. The news was first reported by Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times, and it has already sent shockwaves all throughout several news outlets.
“I’ve heard that Phil would like LeBron traded,” said Plaschke. “I’ve just heard that…I do know that Phil would like to keep (Russell) Westbrook and try to make it work with him.”
The statement from Plaschke came during a guest appearance on The Doug Gottlieb Show and it was based on his insight into the Lakers organization and his previous conversations with the team’s controlling owner, Jeanie Buss. As of now, there is no official word on whether or not Buss will heed the advice of her ex-boyfriend, Phil Jackson.
She already has several advisers at her disposal, most notably Rob Pelinka, Magic Johnson, and Kurt Rambis but there is no doubt about the influence that Jackson still has within the organization given his success with the team and his ties to Kobe Bryant.
The problem with the Lakers isn’t LeBron or Westbrook, it is Anthony Davis not being able to stay healthy.
Flip to the next page to listen to Bill Plaschke’s report on Phil Jackson’s alleged big move