Jackson still isn’t saying whether he’ll be staying

Phil Jackson isn’t really resigning from the Lakers, despite his postgame comments after a droopy loss Friday in Boston. It was sarcasm, in a way only he could deliver it.

In reality, Jackson hasn’t officially decided on his future with the Lakers, despite a self-imposed Thanksgiving deadline.

“I have thought about it, but I’m not willing to state my position on it, though, OK?” he said Sunday. “I think that I should probably sit down and talk to Dr. [Jerry] Buss first.”

Jackson, in the last season of a three-year, $30-million contract, repeatedly has said he would wait to sign an extension until properly gauging his strength while recovering from a second hip-replacement surgery within a year.

Jackson said Sunday that his hips were “doing well.”

“Strength-wise, I’m getting stronger and things are going much better for me,” he said. “It’s just the process of this road grind that you go through to see what it’s going to be like. That, and the effectiveness -- how effective I can be as a coach. And if I see these players responding, I’ll feel better about my decision.”

Jackson wasn’t overly exuberant when asked about his status after the Lakers’ 107-94 loss in Boston.

“Now is a terrible time to ask me,” he said. “I resign.”

With the New Jersey Nets playing the Lakers on Sunday, it was a natural time to look back at trade talks between the teams in February.

The Nets considered moving All-Star guard Jason Kidd, but the Lakers would not part with any of three players -- Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum, who was said to be coveted by the Nets.

No deal.

Kidd came into Sunday’s game averaging close to a triple-double this season: 11.2 points, 10.2 assists and a team-high 8.5 rebounds. He had 15 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds in the Nets’ 102-100 victory.

“He’s a great player, a great acquisition if it happens,” Jackson said. “But those [trade] things, as we know, 90% of them don’t happen.”

After several seasons playing with a gaping hole at point guard, the Lakers now have veteran Derek Fisher and surging second-year player Jordan Farmar.

Jackson, however, insisted on talking about rookie Javaris Crittenton, who has had very little playing time.

“Even though I’m sheltering this young man, he’s going to be a player,” Jackson said.” We know that. He’s got a future with this club.”

Former Laker Devin Green had 20 points for the D-Fenders in a 109-92 victory over Utah in a Development League season opener Sunday at Staples Center.

--

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com