The New York Knicks and president of basketball operations and former Bulls six time NBA Champ Phil Jackson have “mutually agreed” to part ways, the team announced Wednesday morning.

Via Knicks.com:
MSG Executive Chairman Jim Dolan and Phil Jackson announced today that, after discussing the future of the New York Knicks, they have mutually agreed to part company. Mr. Jackson is leaving his post as President of Basketball Operations, effective immediately.
“After careful thought and consideration, we mutually agreed that the Knicks will be going in a different direction,” said Mr. Dolan. “Phil Jackson is one of the most celebrated and successful individuals in the history of the NBA. His legacy in the game of basketball is unmatched. We wish him the best and thank him for his service to the Knicks as both a player and an executive.

The Knicks’ offseason has been non-stop chaos, as Jackson publicly feuded with the team’s two best players, making it clear that he believes New York would be better off without Carmelo Anthony while also putting Kristaps Porzingis on the trading block because he wasn’t able to get over the young big man skipping his exit interview. Both are still on the team, however, as Anthony holds a no-trade clause, giving him all the power in any trade talks. Even though he has recently become open to a buyout, the Knicks are hesitant to lose him for nothing. Meanwhile, no team was able to meet the exorbitant price for Porzingis, and that whole ordeal seems to have perhaps been more of a charade to punish Porzingis. Already looking towards the future, Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Dolan has his sights set on Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri as a replacement.

The Bulls have traded Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a draft-night trade. Butler was the subject of trade rumors since the season ended and will be reunited with former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau in Minnesota. The Bulls received the rights to No. 7 pick, forward Lauri Markkanen, and along with guards Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn. The Wolves received the rights to No. 16 pick, center Justin Patton, along with Butler.
Butler had said he didn’t want to be traded, but the Bulls have been wanting to move him for quite some time. Due to this trade, Butler will no longer qualify for the super max contract, but he does get to play on one of the brightest young teams in the NBA. He’ll immediately be the best player in Minnesota while having a chance to grow with their young core.
Going to the Bulls will be rising shooting guard LaVine. LaVine was playing incredible basketball last season before going down with a knee injury. He’s a dead-eye 3-point shooter and can jump out of the gym. If he’s healthy, the Bulls have acquired one of the stronger guards in the NBA.
Minnesota made out great in this trade. To get Butler and still manage to stay in the draft via the No. 16 pick — which turned out to be Justin Patton — is incredible use of their assets. They had to let go of LaVine, but they’ve become a much better team by adding Butler. Minnesota is going to win more games next year and Butler will be why.