Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks are looking for a new coach, but the team president also said he's up for listening to trade offers as the team looks to build on a less-than-stellar 37-45 finish to 2013-14.
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Jackson, who is immersed in the search for a new coach following the dismissal of Mike Woodson at the end of the regular season, said that no one is untouchable when it comes to who the Knicks may trade out of town by the time the new season tips off this fall.
"I don't think it's any secret that everybody that we have on our roster is up for discussion, if we have other teams call us up," the Knicks president told reporters on Friday, according to ESPN. "I mean, we have players that are free agents in Amar'e [Stoudemire], Andrea [Bargnani], Carmelo [Anthony], Tyson [Chandler], guys that are in situations that are not to be discussed. But the roster that we have beyond that is open for discussion. And if people call up, want to talk about it, we'll discuss it with them."
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Regarding the coaching search, Jackson was fined $25,000 by the NBA for tampering with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Derek Fisher, who has been linked to the team as a potential coaching candidate. The two are set to meet this week.
The team is hoping to clear some cap space for 2015, but Jackson said he isn't opposed to taking on salary this summer should the right deal be presented to him.
"It has to be part of a discussion," Jackson said about taking cap space into account, via ESPN. "But if we get back what we think we need to fill out the character and the type of player that we want to have, we're going to go forward with it anyway. We're not the only team that [is] going to be chasing these players [in 2015]. We have to understand that. We might feel that we have one of the best places in the world to play, but people are susceptible to their backgrounds and where they're from and families, etc. We understand that, chasing free agency, this team has been through it."
A lot of eyes have been on Anthony, who is expected to opt out of his contract this summer and test the open market, but he can make the most money with the Knicks. Reports have indicated that New York is open to listening to sign-and-trade offers as well should Anthony confirm he won't re-sign with New York.
The Knicks -- declared a championship contender by owner James Dolan before failing to even make the playoffs -- expect a lot of changes in personnel this summer, according to a message Jackson gave his players at the end of the season.
"He said that there's going to be changes, some of us won't be in this room next year," an anonymous Knicks player who heard Jackson's address told ESPN.
Another New York player that has come up in trade rumors is Raymond Felton, but Jackson denied telling him that he was going to be dealt.
"We're telling players, get yourself ready, start a 10 to 12 week program of exercise, weight training, conditioning so when you come back here you're not trying to get in shape in September. You are in shape so you're play in October. That's the message we've given," Jackson said per ESPN.
Jackson signed a five-year $60 million contract in March to become the Knicks' president, and the "Zen Master" is looking to make some changes in his first offseason at the helm.
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