REPORT: Phil Jackson will no longer be in charge of the Knicks

Phil Jackson will no longer be in charge of the New York Knicks, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski.

Say what you will about these Knickerbockers, but this is a franchise whose key players aren’t afraid to burn the midnight oil. A series of rumors progressed throughout the night, with Shelburne finally confirming the news around 5 AM EST.

Conversations about what was best for the team's future between Jackson and Knicks owner James Dolan accelerated this week when the franchise decided it would not buy out embattled forward Carmelo Anthony, sources said.

...

With no end to the stalemate in sight, and free agency beginning on July 1, Jackson's discussions with Dolan accelerated late Tuesday night and the decision was made to part ways.

Jackson previously went to war with two head coaches over their refusal to implement the full triangle offense, firing Derek Fisher midway through the 2015-16 season and effectively neutering Jeff Hornacek midway through 2016-17. He later turned his wrath on young Kristaps Porzingis after the 21-year-old big man refused to meet with Jackson at the end of the season. But it appears to be his long-time feud with Melo, culminating in the veteran forward’s request at a buyout, that finally pushed the owner over the edge.

GM Steve Mills will take over management of the team through free agency. This is all terrible timing, of course. You would expect nothing less with this franchise.