Report: Rambis In Talks To Return To Knicks As Assistant Coach
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It appears Kurt Rambis will be back on the Knicks' bench next season.
According to ESPN, the team is negotiating a new contract with Rambis for a position on Jeff Hornacek's coaching staff.
Rambis served as an assistant coach under Derek Fisher for 1½ seasons before taking over as interim head coach in February.
Knicks president Phil Jackson considered Rambis for the full-time head coaching job this spring but ultimately hired Hornacek.
While Jackson and Rambis have a close relationship, Hornacek told WFAN last week that he has the complete freedom to hire his staff. A source also told ESPN that Rambis is not "being forced down Jeff's neck" by Jackson.
Hornacek and Rambis were teammates from 1989-92 on the Phoenix Suns. Rambis reportedly offered Hornacek a job on his staff when he was head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Hornacek considered hiring Rambis when he was the Phoenix Suns' head coach.
The two have had a "long-standing friendship" dating back to their playing days, ESPN reported. The network also said Hornacek initially discussed the position with Rambis a few weeks ago and that Rambis urged Hornacek to take his time in deciding who he wants on his staff.
Jackson publicly endorsed Rambis in an interview with SNY on Monday night.
"Kurt fits," Jackson said. "He fits in a number of ways. He was a teammate of Jeff's in Phoenix at one point in our careers. He's also a great team guy. He's got a great idea of what we're trying to accomplish, and I think he can help Jeff feel his way through this club and find the best way for them to play."
Rambis has one year remaining on his current contract.
Hornacek is also expected to hire Jerry Sichting, who served on his staff in Phoenix.
