Jackson is known for his candor. He talks about his Zen philosophies. He shares his opinions. He has written several books, including “The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul,” about the 2003-4 Lakers. In the book, Jackson was open about the inner workings of the team. (He criticized the perennial All-Star Kobe Bryant, though they have built a close relationship.) No member of the Dolan-led Knicks has enjoyed that kind of independence, literary or otherwise, and it remains to be seen how much will be afforded Jackson.

It is also unclear how much time Jackson will spend in New York and on the road engaged with the minutiae of management: scouting players, preparing for the draft, weighing the salary cap, examining advanced analytics. Running a team is not an easy job, and Jackson has a history of health concerns. In any case, it seems likely that the Knicks will supply him with a staff to do much of his legwork. He is expected to command a salary between $10 million and $15 million a year.

More than anything, Jackson brings instant gravitas and credibility to a franchise sorely in need of both. Dolan has cycled through six coaches since 2004, obsessive in his quest for quick-fix solutions. He made another seemingly impulsive move on the eve of training camp in September, when he hired Steve Mills to replace Glen Grunwald as the team’s general manager.

Now, with Jackson joining the Knicks, Mills is ceding his position heading the team’s basketball operations after about five months. In another twist, it was Mills who initially met with Jackson to discuss a role with the team, according to a person in the N.B.A. with knowledge of the discussions.

The level of autonomy Jackson will have in personnel matters was probably an important topic in his negotiations with Dolan, who has seldom, if ever, relinquished much control. Dolan also has notoriously restrictive policies when it comes to dealing with the news media — he has granted one interview about the Knicks in seven years — and generally requires his executives to sign nondisclosure agreements as a condition of employment. Staffers sit in on interviews with players and the coach (assistants are off limits) and take notes on the questions that are asked.