NBA Rumors: Agents Deny Talk of Phil Jackson-to-Orlando Magic

Both the Orlando Magic and the agents for Phil Jackson downplayed the possibility that Jackson would join the team in a "kingmaker" role, reports David Aldridge of NBA.com. "One, Phil never voiced and interest in Orlando," Todd Musberger, one of Jackson's agents, told Aldridge. "[....] Two, Orlando never called."

Sam Vincent, who played under Jackson with the Chicago Bulls and also spent some of his career with the Magic, was working independently to bring Jackson and the Magic together. Aldridge cites a source as saying Vincent met with Alex Martins, the Magic's CEO, on Thursday to discuss his "big idea." However, Vincent never discussed that plan with Jackson or either of his agents.

The Magic, say Aldridge, are "bristling" over the attention the Jackson plan has received, as it's something they neither came up with or endorsed.

According to Sports Illustrated, which published some details of Vincent's plan on Tuesday, Jackson would work for Orlando remotely as an advisor. Brian Shaw would be Orlando's new head coach, with Scottie Pippen as his lead assistant. Frank Hamblen and Jim Cleamons would round out Shaw's staff, while Vincent himself would receive a front-office job as well.

Musberger denied that Jackson would ever work remotely for any job, saying it's "insulting" to believe otherwise. If Jackson were to return to the NBA, it would be as a sort of "consigliere," to use Aldridge's word, a role similar to that Tex Winter held when Jackson was with the Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.

The Orlando Sentinel reported earlier Wednesday that Vincent's plan likely won't "gain traction" within the Magic organization. Martins has finished interviewing prospective General Manager candidates, but has not submitted a list of finalists to team ownership.

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