The Knicks plan to speak to at least 8-10 coaches during a head coaching quest that is likely to extend to next month, SNY reported.
The search should end before the start of the regular season games in Orlando as part of the restart of the 2019-2020 season.
SNY has learned that Chicago assistant Chris Fleming should be among the coaches interviewed from New York.
The Knicks have started contacting potential candidates in the past few days, according to sources. New York had already planned to interview interim head coach Mike Miller, former head coach Nets Kenny Atkinson, former head coach Bulls and Timberwolves Tom Thibodeau and former head coach Knicks Mike Woodson.
It is unclear who else New York will interview. Jason Kidd and Mark Jackson both have fans in the organization. There is support in the organization for Kidd to be among those who get an interview for the opening, according to sources. Spurs assistant Becky Hammon has been described by a source as a name to keep an eye on, as reported for the first time by Newsday.
There is also some interest in bringing Mike Brown Brown, former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach, for an interview, according to sources.
It would make sense if other on-going assistant coaches, such as Milvinukee Bucks’ Darvin Ham, gained an audience with New York.
Agents and coaches who have a vested interest in the Knicks process have long believed that new team president Leon Rose is more likely to hire Thibodeau. But there is legitimate internal support for Atkinson, as reported by SNY last week.
Miller is expected to be offered another role with the Knicks next season if the club chooses to go in another direction with the coach. As reported by SNY, Rose was deeply affected by Miller in the short time spent around the coach before the season was suspended.
76ers assistant Ime Udoka and magic assistant Pat Delany were also reported as candidates.
Udoka, 42, was an assistant to Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs for seven seasons before joining Brett Brown’s staff in Philadelphia for the 2019-2020 season. Udoka is Brown’s main assistant. In San Antonio, Udoka contributed to the development of the players of Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, DeJounte Murray and others. Player development is seen as a key element for New York, which has several young players on the roster.
Before joining the coaching ranks, Udoka played seven seasons in the NBA, including a short spell with the Knicks in 2005-06.
Delany, meanwhile, has been Orlando’s assistant for five seasons after joining the Miami Heat organization, where he spent a season as head coach of the G League and worked with Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra. He also spent four seasons as an assistant with the Charlotte Hornets.
Delany has worked with several established players early in their career, including Kemba Walker, Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac. He is trained with Steve Clifford, who worked with Thibodeau in New York.
Fleming has trained in Denver and Brooklyn. With the nets he was one of Atkinson’s main assistants. Fleming also coached the German men’s national team.
The Knicks’ plans to interview Udokah were first reported by The Athletic. The club’s plans to interview Delany were first reported by ESPN.