Phil Jackson could return as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers after Mike Brown was fired following a disappointing 1-4 start to the season.
Assistant Bernie Bickerstaff agreed to guide the club for the next few games while the Lakers search for his replacement.
Jackson has been mentioned along with Mike D'Antoni, Brian Shaw and Jerry Sloan as top candidates to fill the vacancy.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak told a press conference that management would contact Jackson for a possible return to the bench.
"When there's a coach like Phil Jackson, one of the all-time greats and he's not coaching, I think we'd be negligent not to be aware that he's out there," Kupchak said.