Reports: Lakers set to meet with Phil Jackson

LOS ANGELES (Sporting Alert) — The Los Angeles Lakers will meet with Phil Jackson on Saturday about the possibilities of him returning to coach the club, according to reports.

Lakers parted company with coach Mike Brown on Friday morning, following a weak opening to the 2012-13 NBA season and it is believed that everyone around the club, including Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard are rallying for Jackson’s return.

Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times reports that a person in the club believed he has “95%” chance of returning for a third stint.

Jackson, a former coach of the Chicago Bulls as well, left his post with Lakers after the 2010-11 season, and many believe that with the likes of Bryant, Steve Nash and Howard on the current roster, the veteran coach could be tempted to return.

The paper did, however, say that there is still a 5-percent chance he would turn down the offer “either because of health reasons or other unknown issues.”

Jackson in recent times has made it well known that he enjoys life away from basketball and may very well turn down the chance.

Reports are also saying that former New York Knicks Coach Mike D’Antoni is the next candidate for the vacant slot, should Jackson turns down the offer.