Ex-Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson expected to interview for Knicks coaching job: 'That's the plan'

Atkinson, interim head coach Mike Miller and Tom Thibodeau are among the candidates who will get consideration

5/27/2020, 5:56 PM
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Ian Begley, SNY.tv Twitter | 

Former Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson is expected to interview for the Knicks' head coaching position, SNY sources confirm.

Atkinson, interim head coach Mike Miller and Tom Thibodeau are among the candidates who will get consideration for the job. 

"That's the plan," one source with knowledge of the proceedings said of Atkinson and the Knicks. 

It is unknown at this point if others, including Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Mike Woodson and John Calipari, will interview for the job. 

Thibodeau has been viewed as a top candidate for the Knicks' job for several weeks. Last month, several agents and coaches with a vested interest in the Knicks' opening said they felt that Thibodeau was the most likely hire for Knicks president Leon Rose.

Rose and Thibodeau have a strong relationship, but Rose also has strong relationships with several coaches due to his previous role as a top player agent at CAA. 

With regards to Atkinson, he and the Nets mutually parted ways in March. Under Atkinson and GM Sean Marks, the Nets were rebuilt into a playoff team, attracting top free agents Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving last summer. 

Atkinson, who was a Knicks assistant coach under Mike D'Antoni, is one of the top player-development coaches in the NBA. The Nets had several player-development success stories under Atkinson, including Joe Harris, Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen

Atkinson is expected to receive interest from other teams with coaching vacancies. 

Rose isn't expected to interview any coaching candidates until there is clarity on the remainder of the regular season. The NBA season is suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. There are several scenarios under consideration for resuming the season. If the NBA decides to play regular season games, the expectation is that Miller will coach the Knicks for those games and no formal coaching search will begin until the conclusion of the regular season. 

The Athletic first reported that the Knicks are expected to interview Atkinson.

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