Anyone who followed the NBA back in 2016 remembers the train wreck that was the New York Knicks. After years of being, well, not good, they looked towards a savior from Tinseltown: Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson. Jackson was brought in as team president to bring a “winning culture” in the Big Apple.

Well, it's safe to say things didn't work out. A combination of questionable trades, even more suspect free agent signings, and a healthy dose of publicly berating your star marred Jackson's Knicks tenure. The legendary Lakers coach was let go after just a few seasons, and for good reason.

When Lakers fans heard about the rumors that Phil Jackson wanted LeBron James TRADED, they of course lost their minds. They're likely thanking the heavens that he's not the one calling the shots. But… what if he was? Let's look at what moves the Zen Master would do if he was the general manager of LA in 2021-22.

4 moves Phil Jackson Would Make If He Ran Lakers in 2021-22 NBA Offseason

4. Hiring Pau Gasol as a head coach

One of the biggest marks of Jackson's stint as Knicks GM is him living and dying by the triangle offense. The Zen Master built his Lakers empire on top of the triangle, after all. Because of that, one of his first moves was employing a former player of his, Derek Fisher, as his new head coach.

Who's to say Jackson has learned from the mistakes of years past? Fisher might not be a sexy pick to be a coach nowadays, but… there's plenty of other ex-Lakers to choose from. If Kobe Bryant was still alive, you can bet that he would've been Jackson's first pick. We'll go with Gasol as his supposed coach in this crazy alternate timeline.

3. Signing DeMarcus Cousins to a starter-level contract

Look, I don't mean any disrespect to DeMarcus Cousins. After bouncing around from team to team (including the Lakers), Boogie has found a new gear in Denver. It's great to see him regain a new role for a contending team, especially after everything he's been through in his career.

And yet, he's the type of player that Jackson would love to have in his triangular world in Los Angeles. Cousins is an excellent facilitator from the high post: a trademark of of the triangle offense. Signing him to a low-risk contract is fine, but if Jackson was calling the shots, it's VERY possible that Cousins will get $10-$15 million a year.

2. Trading LeBron James and/or Anthony Davis

Jackson is a very radical team president based on his tenure in New York. The Zen Master wasn't afraid to trade valuable players like Tyson Chandler if he didn't fit the scheme he wanted. Hell, he very nearly traded Kristaps Porzingis one year into his rookie deal before James Dolan realized this was a bad idea and sent Jackson packing.

It wouldn't be surprising for Phil Jackson if he decided a multi-time MVP and a perennial DPOY candidate weren't good “building blocks” for the Lakers. If Jackson had his way, you can bet that he'd be dealing one of Anthony Davis and/or LeBron James for players who play the triangle better. Whether that's a good thing for the Lakers… well, we'll never know.

1. Installing himself as GM/Coach of the Lakers

We were all expecting it to happen in New York. After repeated failures of coaches to run the triangle offense, many fans speculated that Phil Jackson would say “screw it” and be the coach himself. He was able to repress that urge with the Knicks… but if he was with the Lakers, where he has a lot more supporters… maybe that would change.

After Frank Vogel inevitably goes 13-24 to start the season, Jackson would abruptly announce his firing right after the game. The Zen Master would then make himself the “interim” head coach… only for them to be knocked out in the Play-In Tournament by the Grizzlies. It's their destiny.