This is good news in my opinion. I like that we are doing our due diligence. Never liked the idea that it seemed to be Thibs or bust. There are some good, young assistants, especially Ime Udoka, who I think is ready to lead a team. Hopefully, this turns out much better than it did 2 years ago....
The Knicks plan to speak to at least 8-10 coaches during a head-coaching search that will likely stretch into next month, league sources told SNY. The search is expected to conclude before regular-season games begin in Orlando as part of the restart to the 2019-20 season.
Chicago assistant Chris Fleming is expected to be among those coaches interviewed by New York, SNY has learned.
The Knicks began reaching out to potential candidates in recent days, per sources. New York had already planned to interview interim head coach Mike Miller, former Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson, former Bulls and Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau and former Knicks coach Mike Woodson.
It's unclear who else New York will interview. Jason Kidd and Mark Jackson both have fans in the organization. There is some support in the organization for Kidd to be among those who get an interview for the opening, per sources. Spurs assistant Becky Hammon was described by a source as a name to keep an eye on, as Newsday first reported.
There is also some interest in bringing in former Cavs head coach Mike Brown in for an interview, per sources.
It would make sense if other ascendant assistant coaches, such as Milwaukee's Darvin Ham, get 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 most likely to hire Thibodeau. But there is legitimate internal support for Atkinson, as SNY reported 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 head coach. As SNY reported, Rose was thoroughly impressed by Miller in the brief time he spent around the coach before the season was suspended.
76ers assistant Ime Udoka and Magic assistant Pat Delany have also been reported as candidates.
Udoka, 42, was an assistant under Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs for seven seasons before joining Brett Brown's staff in Philadelphia for the 2019-20 season. Udoka is Brown's lead assistant. In San Antonio, Udoka aided in the player development of Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, DeJounte Murray and others. Player development is seen as a pivotal for New York, which has several young players on the roster.
Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Udoka played seven seasons in the NBA, including a brief stint with the Knicks is 2005-06.
Delany, meanwhile, has been an assistant with Orlando for five seasons after rising through the Miami Heat organization, where he spent one season as their G League head coach 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 careers, including Kemba Walker, Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac. He's coached under Steve Clifford, who coached with Thibodeau in New York.
Fleming has coached in Denver and Brooklyn. With the Nets, he was one of Atkinson's lead assistants. Fleming has 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.
6/18/2020 12:09 PM