Kentucky associate coach Kenny Payne is reportedly “weighing an offer” to join the Knicks’ coaching staff, according to Stadium.
Payne joined John Calipari’s coaching staff at Kentucky prior to the 2010-11 season and was promoted to associate coach in 2014. Prior to working at Kentucky, Payne served as an assistant coach at the University of Oregon. He also played four NBA seasons with the 76ers from 1989-1993.
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, “Payne has a close relationship with top Knicks executive William Wesley and has other ties to the Knicks organization. He has been known to coach big men at Kentucky, including Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns.”
“KP is one of the best development coaches in the world,” Towns told The Athletic last year. “KP is the horse beneath the jockey driving Kentucky basketball.”
Begley also reported last week that the Knicks were planning to add a significant number of player development coaches under Tom Thibodeau. Any player development coaches would be hired in addition to assistant coaches who word serve on the bench under Thibodeau.
The New York Daily News first reported the Knicks’ interest in adding Payne as an assistant.
In terms of filling out the staff, a pair of former Knicks head coaches are expected to have strong consideration for assistant roles. The Athletic reported on Thursday that Mike Woodson is “expected” to re-join the organization in an undetermined capacity, while former interim head coach Mike Miller is also being looked at.