Phil Jackson has expressed concern over the presence of Isiah Thomas at Madison Square Garden.

Thomas was recently hired as president of the New York Liberty of the WNBA. Thomas continues to have a close relationship with James Dolan.

There has been speculation that Thomas could eventually replace Jackson to run the New York Knicks again.

“He’s not happy about it but what can he do about it,” said one Garden official, who requested anonymity. “This is just the start of it.”

The WNBA Board of Governors has yet to approve Thomas’ ownership and a person familiar with the process believes it will be rejected.

Jackson has little experience when it comes to running the draft and free agency and the feeling is that Dolan will again use Thomas as a consultant.

“He’s an excellent judge of talent and I’m confident that he will put all of his energy and experience into making the Liberty a perennially competitive and successful team,” Dolan said in a statement last week.

Jackson is entering the second year of a five-year deal to run the Knicks.