Apr 5, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Phil Jackson court side at game between the New York Knicks and the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

The Detroit Pistons have reportedly hired Phil Jackson as a consultant to assist Joe Dumars in hiring the team’s next head coach.

According to the Pistons’ home site, the 11-time champion coach was hired to “provide advice and counsel on the coaching search and immediate basketball needs.”

“Phil Jackson is a friend and one of the best minds in the business,” said Piston’s owner Tom Gores. “We are thrilled to have him as an adviser as we make some very important decisions for this franchise. Joe (Dumars) and I discussed this and he and I are in full agreement that this is a great opportunity.

Jackson’s willingness to consult and entertain middle of the road organizations shows that his “itch” to return for a return to basketball only appears to be growing.

This is not will not be a formal position for Jackson in Detroit, his role will be to simply ‘advise’.

“We’re prepared to do what we have to do to move this franchise forward,” said Gore. “Make no doubt about it, we want to win.”

It’s hard not to dream of the day we see the Buss family relinquish the reigns to the likes of Jackson. We can only hope this move by the Pistons will make enough noise to send a few ripples throughout the Lakers organization.