Phil Jackson wants to meet with Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and when the meeting happens,it will likely determine whether or not Jackson returns to coach the Lakers.

Sources believe Jackson could make up his mind before the NBA Finals.

"If Jackson and Bryant are able to reach an understanding about working together, Jackson could be close to returning as Lakers coach. If not, Jackson could rejoin the organization in a front-office capacity, a source said."

"The negotiations between Jackson and the Lakers have been complicated, to say the least. One source last week called it a "done deal" that Jackson would return, and another source said this week that all options still are being considered."

At this year's NBA Lottery, Lakers' executive Jeanie Buss indicated that her 'boy friend' Phil Jackson would be coaching an NBA team this coming season.

This statements fuels speculation that Jackson will return to the Lakers' bench.

In a rebuttal to recent published reports, Lakers owner Jerry Buss said Sunday that he has not reached any understanding with Phil Jackson about returning as Lakers coach and denied that Jackson wants the role of team president.

"Going back to last year when we did have an offer on the table, and he had a counter, I think I could imagine pretty much what it would take to sign Phil," Buss said in an interview on XTRA 570-AM's "Simers Says" show. "But we have not reached any kind of agreement or discussed it."

Buss said he had not formally sat down with Jackson to discuss the job and added that his short list of coaches has more than one name on it, "but not terribly many more."

The Warriors' Baron Davis and the Lakers' Jeanie Buss will be amongst the attendees at this season's NBA Lottery.

"Last season was really difficult and we had bad luck in a lot of ways," said Buss, daughter of team owner Jerry Buss. "This could change that and get us off in a new direction."

The Lakers have a 1.4 percent chance of landing the number one pick.

Take a look at our Lottery Simulator to see who might end up with the first pick.

With all the speculation of here Phil Jackson is going to be coaching next year, the truth is the man known simply as ?The Zen Master? is not even sure he wants to coach.

"I've not made up my mind. Coaching is an option," Jackson told The Associated Press in an interview Saturday, adding that while he had set no deadline for his decision, "by mid-June or by early June, people need to have answers."

Jackson still favors the Lakers as he has many ties in La-La-Land.

"I have a family here. I have a relationship with Jeannie [Buss]. There are a lot of positive things. There's also a big negative about not being here last year and the experience that led to the change with the Lakers. There is also that overall feeling."

New York Knicks GM Isiah Thomas was in Los Angeles yesterday, however he failed to secure a second interview with coveted coach and "Zen Master" Phil Jackson.

It is not clear why Thomas was in L.A., what is known is that he will be going back to New York empty handed.

He arrived to the United States from China only three months ago and as is the custom here, already has his own reality television show titled "The Great Tall of China.?

7-foot8, 360 pound Sun Ming Ming has been dubbed the biggest person on the planet and he is making his way to the NBA.

"The general consensus is he's probably a year or a year and a half away,' said Ventura-based agent Charles Bonsignore, who first spotted Sun two years ago when his Chinese junior national team played in Los Angeles.

Some are calling this kid the next Sidd Finch, George Plimpton?s mythical pitcher who was said to throw a 110 mph fastball.  

He's a big project,' Lakers assistant general manager Ronnie Lester said. "He has a ways to go.'

Phil Jackson?s longtime assistant and friend Tex Winter recently stated that the chances of the Zen Master returning to coach the Los Angeles Lakers is "a little better than 50-50."

Winter also believes that if Jackson doesn?t go to L.A. he will most likely end up in New York.

"[Jackson] has his home in L.A. relationship with [Lakers VP] Jeanie Buss, the Lakers would be where he'd like to stay," Winter told The Post from his Oregon home. "But it takes two to tango. He has to feel confident [owner] Jerry Buss, management and [GM] Mitch Kupchak want him back."

In a move that once seemed improbable, sources close to Phil Jackson say that he is close to making his decision regarding his coaching status for next season and with that a possible return to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Knicks have not been told by Jackson's agent that they are out of the running, but they have become the underdogs.

Isiah Thomas still would like to schedule another interview.

League sources are claiming that the Cleveland Cavaliers are out of the running for Phil Jackson, leaving New York and Los Angeles as his two possible destinations.

Earl Monroe doesn't expect him to come to the Knicks either.

"I've talked to a couple of people pretty close to Phil," Monroe said yesterday at the Meadowlands during the Nets-Heat playoff game. "It's a good shot to try to get him. In terms of his own legacy, I know he should go to someplace where there's a guy they can build around and become a winning team. I don't see with the Knicks they have that type of team in place at this point."