Report: Knicks, Phil Jackson opt in to final two years of his contract

Knicks owner James Dolan said he’d give Phil Jackson all five years of the team president’s contract to rebuild the struggling franchise. Jackson reportedly planned to fulfill the entire deal.

Three tumultuous years in, both sides are following through.

Ian Begley and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN:

Sources familiar with the situation told ESPN that the Knicks and Jackson quietly picked up their option on the remaining two years of his contract this spring.

Jackson makes $12 million annually and seems to delegate a lot. It’s good money if you can get it. Why would Jackson leave this job -- especially considering the Lakers are no longer the cushy landing spot many expected?

For Dolan, the choice is more vexing, though understandable. The Knicks have gone 80-166 and missed the playoffs in Jackson’s first three years, and the team is strapped to Joakim Noah’s long-term contract. Jackson has alienated Carmelo Anthony and drawn backlash from the biggest stars -- including Anthony -- over using the word “posse” to describe those close to LeBron James. Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez provide hope, but there’s far more negative in New York.

So, what makes this decision understandable? Dolan makes bad decisions.

The Knicks will now continue down the track Jackson has laid out -- trying to trade Anthony, committing to the triangle offense and probably losing.