INGLEWOOD, Calif., June 15 -- Phil Jackson, who guided the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles this decade with the help of superstar Michael Jordan, reached an agreement in principle Tuesday to coach the Los Angeles Lakers. Lakers spokesman John Black confirmed the two sides have reached an agreement and added 'we hope to have the contract signed before introducing him at the Beverly Hilton at 12 noon (3 p.m. EDT) Wednesday.
' Although Black did not disclose details of the agreement, ESPN is reporting the deal to be six years worth $24 million. Jackson, who decided not to return to the Chicago Bulls for his 10th season after Jordan retired, was linked to coaching vacancies in both New York and New Jersey after the regular season. He met with Knicks president Dave Checketts during the second round of the playoffs about possibly replacing Jeff Van Gundy, who overcame the distraction and Checketts' denial of meeting with Jackson to lead them to the NBA Finals. The hiring of Jackson would hopefully bring some stability to the Lakers, a team with talent-rich players and equally proportionate egos. They fired coach Del Harris 12 games into the season and replaced him with Kurt Rambis. Los Angeles also signed and released petulant ex-Bulls forward Dennis Rodman during the season, acquired shooting guard Glen Rice as part of a trade that sent Eddie Jones to the Charlotte Hornets and were distracted by the constant bickering and complaining of superstar center Shaquille O'Neal and guard Kobe Bryant well into the postseason. The Lakers were swept in the Western Conference semifinals by eventual champion San Antonio.