Phil Jackson has agreed to take over the basketball operations for the New York Knicks. That’s far from just a dream at this point. And with that one high-impact – and potentially hugely profitable – hiring, the Knickerbockers went from a league laughingstock to an entirely plausible home for the league’s best player. That would be four-time MVP, LeBron James.

Now one quick word on Jackson. He didn’t win 13 rings – 11 as a coach – by being stupid, and while the Knicks are a mess, Jackson knows that this is a mess that can be cleaned up quickly. First, of course, is finding the guy with the mop, and that’s Jackson himself. He’s the greatest living NBA coach, and arguably the best coach ever. At age 68, he’s in the late Red Auerbach phase of his career, moving from the bench to the front office much the way that Pat Riley did in Miami. If there’s anyone on the planet who can fix this dysfunctional team – and deal with its troublesome owner James Dolan – it’s Jackson.

Carmelo Anthony, who makes $23.3 million next year, can opt out of his contract at the end of the season. If he does, or the Knicks decide to trade Anthony, Jackson could then use that salary cap space to go after LeBron, who can also opt out of his Miami Heat deal, which pays him slightly less than Anthony, after the season is over.

While that would have been a preposterous scenario a week ago, it’s not so crazy now with Jackson on board. If James decides to leave Miami, the Knicks would be an appealing option for James, given the team’s storied basketball tradition and huge media market. It becomes doubly attractive with Jackson on board to steer the team’s basketball fortunes.

– Scott Randell (@DefinedByMvsic)