The NY Knicks are talking to Steve Kerr and they want him as their new head coach, but things could get interesting if names like Doc Rivers, Mark Jackson or Frank Vogel hit the market, as Kerr has been linked to the Golden State Warriors as well and that is why Phil Jackson is hoping to get a deal done before the end of the first round of the playoffs.
The Knicks now are in a very tough position, as they have made it clear they want Kerr and they want to get a deal done, but perhaps it might be in the best interest of the team to wait. Kerr is a great candidate because of his connections to Phil Jackson, but with the possibility of Doc Rivers, Mark Jackson and Frank Vogel being available after the playoffs or when their teams lose, the Knicks may kick themselves for not taking the long view of things. The Knicks are hoping to get the deal done ASAP, as Jackson likes Kerr and thinks he can be a success as a head coach.
That obviously is also a tough prospect to deal with, as the job statuses and safety of those three are up in the air still and with nice runs they all could end up staying and that would throw a big wrench into the Knicks plans. Kerr is a very solid choice, but if Rivers opted not to return to the Clippers because of the whole Donald Sterling mess, he would automatically shoot to the top of the list for any job openings. The Clippers can make a championship run this year and Rivers may not want to abandon his players like that, but his departure right now is well within the realm of possibility and the Knicks would love it if they could add him as their coach.
The reason for the quick turnaround on Kerr for the Knicks is because they are not the only team eyeing him as a head coach. According to ESPN.com, the Warriors, despite winning 50 games and making the playoffs this season, are not totally happy with Jackson and with the way he has handled some things with the coaching staff and the team and if he loses to the Clippers, there is a good chance he will be fired as well and that would create another candidate and another job opening to consider.
Kerr is from California and rumors have the team interested in hiring him for the job and that is a reason why the Knicks want to get the deal done quickly. Frank Vogel is an unlikely option, but if he is fired by the Indiana Pacers if they lose to the Hawks, he easily could jump in as well. The Knicks were a mess last season and won just 37 games after winning 54 the previous season along with the division and now Jackson is trying to get Kerr into the fold before he goes elsewhere. The Knicks are trying to keep Carmelo Anthony as well and the coaching search and who the team hires could have a big effect on whether he stays or signs with another team like the Chicago Bulls or Houston Rockets.
