The rumors of Phil Jackson returning to the sidelines to coach the team he played for in the NBA, the New York Knicks, is heating up — according to Ken Berger of CBS Sports.

In some corners of the Knick locker room, there was fear after a listless loss to the rebuilding Cavaliers on Wednesday night that D’Antoni could be gone soon if progress isn’t achieved, according to a person familiar with the players’ thinking.

Mark Warkentien, whose consulting deal was extended this season, is represented by Creative Artists Agency — the same powerhouse that orchestrated the Anthony trade. Warkentien, the Nuggets GM when Anthony was there, also is said to have Dolan’s ear, according to a league source. This could be troubling news for D’Antoni, who is known to be regarded by Warkentien as a roster-specific coach — perfect with personnel that suit his style, and not the ideal fit otherwise.

Furthermore, some telling comments from former Lakers coach Phil Jackson to the New York Times recently caught the eyes of several rival executives and coaching industry sources who are convinced of two things: Jackson, 66, has the itch to return, and the Knicks might be the only job that would lure him back.

“The feeling is, all Dolan would have to do is ask, and Phil would say yes,” a person connected to the former Lakers coach told me this week.