LOS ANGELES -- Phil Jackson and Mike D'Antoni are the leading candidates to replace Mike Brown as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, a source with knowledge of the situation told ESPNLosAngeles.com's Ramona Shelburne on Friday.

"It's neck and neck," the source said. The Lakers intend to call Jackson on Saturday to gauge his interest in returning to the sideline, sources told ESPNLosAngeles.com late Friday.

If the initial conversation with Jackson goes well, the Lakers are hoping to meet with him this weekend. While the Lakers have focused on Jackson, it would have to be a "philosophical match," according to sources. Issues such as how much control over personnel decisions Jackson will want and whether he would travel to all games -- issues that became problematic during Jackson's last stint with the team -- will surely be raised.

The Lakers also have made initial contact with D'Antoni's agent, sources said. D'Antoni already is stumping for the job.

"If they offer it, I'd love it. It'd be a perfect fit," D'Antoni told Fox Sports Southwest and DallasBasketball.com in the hours after Brown's firing.

The Lakers would like to move quickly through this process, as interim coach Bernie Bickerstaff has committed to working only a few games.