Report: Knicks CEO wanted Jerry West to replace Phil Jackson

Rarely do the New York Knicks take an under-the-radar approach. That was almost the case once again after the Knicks fired team president Phil Jackson.

The Knicks struggled to put together a respectable on-court product during Jackson's tenure, leading to a dramatic dismissal this past June. Knicks CEO James Dolan had his sights set on Jerry West as the replacement, according to Mitch Lawrence of Sporting News.

Before the Knicks promoted Steve Mills to president and hired Scott Perry as general manager, Dolan reportedly had a team executive contact West to see if he was interested in taking over Jackson's role.

West turned down the opportunity in favor of an advisory role with the Los Angeles Clippers, stated it wasn't the right time for him to go to New York, according to Lawrence.

West has seen plenty of success as a team executive, most recently being a board member of the Golden State Warriors from 2011-17.