Lakers coach says he’ll be back in LA

Phil Jackson will return to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season, getting a clean bill of health following a record championship season.

The Hall of Fame coach turns 64 in September and said on the team’s Web site Friday he got the go-ahead for another season after consulting the team doctor.

Jackson led the Lakers to their 15th NBA championship and his 10th title in June, breaking the mark he shared with the late Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach.

“I feel confident that I can gainfully pursue an NBA season with another long playoff postseason,” he said. “All things point to go!”

He signed a two-year contract extension last season and holds the option on a second year.

Last season, Jackson missed two West Coast road games because of pain and swelling in his lower legs caused by plantar fasciitis, a problem he had checked out. He blamed late-night flights that aggravated the condition.

He has undergone two hip replacement operations since October 2006 — using a cane at various times — and walks with a noticeable hitch in his step. He underwent an angioplasty in 2003 to open a clogged artery in his heart.

Jackson became the Lakers’ coach in 1999, and guided the team to NBA titles in each of his first three seasons. He left following the 2003-04 season but returned the following season.

Jackson coached the Chicago Bulls to six championships in the 1990s. His .705 regular-season winning percentage is tops in league history, and his 1,041 victories are sixth best.

BLAZERS CUT OFF: Free-agent forward Hedo Turkoglu and the Portland Trail Blazers have ended contract talks, a person close to the team confirmed.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations.

Turkoglu’s agent, Lon Babby, didn’t immediately return calls or e-mails.

The 6-foot-10 forward who helped the Orlando Magic to the NBA finals arrived in Portland on Thursday to meet Blazers executives and tour the city. He was scheduled to leave on Saturday.

He opted out of his Orlando contract last week when the team acquired Vince Carter from New Jersey. Turkoglu was due $7.3 million next season in the final year of his $36 million, six-year deal with Orlando. He averaged 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds last season.

Earlier Friday, there were reports that Turkoglu had agreed in principle with the Blazers.

Turkoglu, from Turkey, is a nine-year NBA veteran. He played for Sacramento and San Antonio before signing with Orlando as a free agent in 2004.

This season he often ran Orlando’s offense and created matchup problems for the Celtics and Cavaliers in the playoffs. Against the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in the finals, Turkoglu averaged 18 points.

He was said to be seeking a long-term deal worth at least $10 million annually. Toronto had also expressed interest in him.

The Blazers are looking to bolster a team that won 54 games last season and advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

Anchored by All-Star guard Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, the Blazers were the second-youngest team in the NBA.

CELTICS OFFER: The Boston Celtics have offered forward Rasheed Wallace a contract as part of a major push to land the coveted forward, according to a published report.

The Boston Globe reports the Celtics offered Wallace a deal during a three-hour meeting in Detroit on Thursday. Celtics stars Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce joined general manager Danny Ainge and managing partner Wyc Grousbeck at the meeting.

Wallace’s agent, Bill Strickland, told the Globe in a text message that it was a “very good meeting; some contractual terms discussed, nothing agreed to.”

He also said Wallace will be meeting with other teams next week. Charlotte, Cleveland, Orlando and San Antonio are said to be possible suitors.

The 35-year-old Wallace can play the low post and also has exceptional shooting range. He averaged 12 points per game for Detroit last year, before falling to 6.5 points per game in the first round of the playoffs as Detroit was swept in four games by Cleveland.

Wallace earned $13.68 million last season as he finished up a five-year contract with Detroit.