The Knicks still plan to wrap up their coaching search by the end of the month. As they get closer to the finish line, several people briefed on the Knicks’ thinking expect them to hire at least one of the current head-coaching candidates as an assistant on the next head coach’s staff.
Some old-school coaches bristle at the idea of a team hiring assistant coaches for their staff. But the practice has become more common recently as franchises collaborate with coaches on the coaching staffs.
Two examples of late: Both Derek Fisher and David Fizdale had assistant coaches on their staffs that were favored by management.
As of late last week, the Knicks had continued to do due diligence on candidates. It is believed that candidates interviewed briefly for the job over 30-minute Zoom calls and then followed up with more formal interviews. An unconfirmed report from Sports Illustrated stated that Kenny Atkinson had received an interview on Monday.
Agents and coaches with a vested interest in the Knicks’ search have long believed that Tom Thibodeau is the coach most likely to be hired by Knicks president Leon Rose.
Rose and Thibodeau have a close relationship. Thibodeau is also close with Knicks executive vice president and senior advisor William “World Wide Wes” Wesley.
Atkinson, Jason Kidd and Mike Woodson also have strong ties to the organization and significant support from some at Madison Square Garden.
Additionally, Rose was impressed by interim head coach Mike Miller during the brief time that he got to work alongside him in March. Miller interviewed for the head-coaching position.
There is some internal support at the Garden to adding Miller and/or Woodson on the next coaching staff, regardless of who the head coach is.
Golden State assistant Mike Brown, Bulls assistant Chris Fleming, Dallas assistant Jamahl Mosely, San Antonio assistant Will Hardy, Philadelphia 76ers lead assistant Ime Udoka and Orlando Magic assistant Pat Delany also have interviewed for the job.
Rose, Wesley, GM Scott Perry and Vice President of Basketball and Strategic Planning Brock Aller have been among the group of Knicks participating in the interviews, per SNY sources.