NBA: Phil Jackson considered the Magic but 'decided to go with another opportunity'

For a few days, Phil Jackson teased a return to the NBA as a member of the Orlando Magic's front office, only to later change his mind for "another opportunity," Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel reported. Magic CEO Alex Martins was presented with a scenario by former Magic player Sam Vincent, who also played under Jackson in Chicago, that would have seen Jackson in a front office role, similar to Pat Riley's situation with the Miami Heat, and an unnamed former NBA All-Star as head coach. Jackson however, later backed out on Thursday (Friday, PHL time), because of another NBA opportunity, meaning the 11-time NBA champion head coach could still be a part of the 2012-2013 season. Having Jackson involved in a major position for the Magic could have possibly enticed center Dwight Howard to sign an extension with the team. He is currently in the last year of his contract, and is the subject of trade rumors after a tumultuous season. Howard also missed the latter part of the NBA season, as well as the post-season, because of a herniated disk that required surgery. The Magic recently fired GM Otis Smith and head coach Stan Van Gundy after being ousted in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs by the Indiana Pacers. - AMD, GMA News