Donnie Walsh is hoping for a quick resolution regarding his future, and one of three scenarios has the Indiana Pacers CEO replacing Knicks president Isiah Thomas as soon as next week, according to a person close to Walsh.

Talks between Walsh and the Knicks could intensify now that the Milwaukee Bucks severed ties with general manager Larry Harris Wednesday. The Daily News reported in Wednesday's editions that Milwaukee had been privately negotiating with Walsh.

The Bucks' owner, Sen. Herb Kohl, announced yesterday that Harris was relieved of his duties by mutual agreement after the club notified him that his contract would not be renewed. Milwaukee is prepared to offer Walsh its GM job, which would force Garden chairman James Dolan to accelerate negotiations with the 67-year-old Bronx native. Walsh met with Knicks officials last week in Indiana.

Another team - believed to be Atlanta - has also reached out to Walsh, but at this stage it is a three-team race between the Knicks, Bucks and Pacers. Indiana's co-owners, Melvin and Herbert Simon, have promised to make dramatic changes, and The News reported on Monday that the Simon brothers want to keep Walsh and fire team president Larry Bird, who yesterday reiterated that he wants to remain with the club.

Firing Bird, who is revered in his home state of Indiana, could be a public-relations nightmare. Walsh is uncomfortable with the prospect of forcing Bird out, which is why several of Walsh's close friends believe he will leave.

Walsh has had preliminary talks with the Knicks and would have to meet again before a deal is finalized. But Walsh and Dolan are both eager to speed up the negotiations. A Knicks official said yesterday that if Walsh decides to join the Knicks, a contract could be signed as early as next week.

Walsh's arrival would mean the end of Thomas' run as president and head coach. Several prominent names are already being floated as potential coaches and front-office personnel that Walsh may hire. Walsh is said to think highly of Mark Warkentien, the Nuggets' vice president of basketball operations. Warkentien is a possible candidate to become the Knicks' general manager if Walsh decides not to retain Glen Grunwald.

Former Knick Mark Jackson and former Bulls coach Scott Skiles are the most likely coaching candidates. Others could include Paul Silas, Tom Thibodeau, Mike Fratello and Terry Porter.

Walsh had pushed Jackson for the Pacers coaching job, but Bird, who was in charge of the hiring process, didn't interview Jackson and eventually named Jim O'Brien coach.

Jackson has no coaching experience on any level, but many executives feel he has the knowledge, work ethic and charisma to be successful, especially in New York. Skiles has an impressive resume that includes head-coaching stops in Phoenix and Chicago. Skiles has been mentioned as a possible successor to Pat Riley in Miami. He is also scheduled to interview for Indiana University job following the NCAA Tournament.

Skiles has an impressive resume that includes head-coaching stops in Phoenix and Chicago.

Posted by joec32033:

Even though I would prefer Carlisle be on the short list, I am a little intrigued by two dark horse candidates of Silas and Fratello.

Both guys are no B.S. OLD SKOOL.

Posted by arkrud:

Posted by Cousinjoey:

Unfortunately, these old school coaches don't relate well with todays players. If a team isn't winning, players will tune out the discipline guy really quick. You need someone who can be a little of both types. Jackson would fit that mold, maybe even Ewing to a lesser extent.

Why do you think that bunch of retards Knicks have are representing todays players?

When I say "todays players", I am not refering to the thug life type players. To be honest, I thing that the thugs make up a small percentage of the league. What I meant by "todays players" are the me first guys who only care about themselves and nothing else. They don't care about discipline or defense or intangables (like diving for loose balls, etc.). They don't care about winning or anything else. I think the Knicks have quite a few of those type of guys.

Posted by TrueBlue:

Posted by Cousinjoey:

Posted by arkrud:

Posted by Cousinjoey:

Unfortunately, these old school coaches don't relate well with todays players. If a team isn't winning, players will tune out the discipline guy really quick. You need someone who can be a little of both types. Jackson would fit that mold, maybe even Ewing to a lesser extent.

Why do you think that bunch of retards Knicks have are representing todays players?

When I say "todays players", I am not refering to the thug life type players. To be honest, I thing that the thugs make up a small percentage of the league. What I meant by "todays players" are the me first guys who only care about themselves and nothing else. They don't care about discipline or defense or intangables (like diving for loose balls, etc.). They don't care about winning or anything else. I think the Knicks have quite a few of those type of guys.

Name who you think those players are

Zach Randolph. Eddy Curry. Stephon Marbury. Your three "main" players are these type of players.

Posted by Ira:

Posted by BigSm00th:

thibodeau, for those who don't know, was the knicks assistant coach during the JVG years, and went with JVG to houston. now he is strictly the defense coach for the celtics (and they play some great D!)

i'm not sure how i feel about giving a guy his first coaching job in NY, but anyone with a defense first, no BS attitude (thibodeau, skiles, silas, etc) is fine with me.

Thibodeau would be a good choice if he hired a good offensive guy as his assistant.

The celts are playing tremendous defense- and I am realizing its the effort they're bringing, as well as natural abilities - and that effort clearly must be coming from the coaches- but from their on court leadership & KG & Ray Allen are the two main guys there.

Just saying that Thibodeau might be looking so good because of the players, and not anything he's necessarily done - a bit like Phil & Riley with all the rings they have, thanks to being the coach on the team with the worlds best player!