Knicks Will Hire Jeff Hornacek As Head Coach, Report Says
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The New York Knicks are reportedly close to landing a new coach.
The Knicks are expected to hire former Phoenix Suns coach Jeff Hornacek, Bleacher Report's Howard Beck first reported Wednesday night. League sources confirmed the report to ESPN.
A source told Beck that the deal is "as close as humanly possible" to being done, although an NBA source disputed that report to the New York Post, saying that two sides have not yet discussed the framework of a contract. In 2014, the Knicks appeared to be on the verge of hiring Steve Kerr before negotiations broke down.
ESPN reported that the Knicks have informed other candidates of their intention to hire Hornacek. The team also reportedly interviewed former Cavaliers coach David Blatt and ex-Pacers coach Frank Vogel and was considering promoting Kurt Rambis, who served as interim coach after Derek Fisher was fired in February.
A former All-Star guard with the Suns, Hornacek, 53, returned to his old team in 2013 as coach and went 101-112 in 2½ seasons there. He, however, never reached the playoffs, and his won-loss percentage declined each season. The Suns fired Hornacek in February. Before becoming Phoenix's head coach, Hornacek was an assistant coach for the Utah Jazz.
Tthe Houston Rockets also interviewed Hornacek, and the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies were also interested in him, according to various reports.
MORE: 5 Facts About Jeff Hornacek
The Knicks fired Derek Fisher in February after he went 23-31 this past season. His career record with the Knicks was 40-96.
Rambis replaced Fisher following his dismissal, as the Knicks finished the season 32-50.
Over 15 seasons in the NBA, Hornacek averaged 14.5 points while playing for the Suns, Philadelphia 76ers and Jazz.
The Knicks have yet to comment on the report.
