
After a solid start to the campaign was followed by a sluggish second half of the season, the New York Knicks have some major changes coming this summer.
They already fired Jeff Hornacek after two years as the team’s head coach and a list of potential replacement candidates has already surfaced. According to New York Daily News’ Frank Isola, the Knicks have already officially reach out to two of those candidates: Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy.
The Knicks have contacted the representatives of both Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson, the Daily News has learned.
According to a source close to the Knicks search, Van Gundy and Jackson join a growing list of head coaching candidates that the Knicks have officially reached out to. That list includes former Memphis Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale, who revealed Friday that he will interview with the Knicks next week.
Also, Jerry Stackhouse, the coach of Toronto’s G-League affiliate, has been contacted and could have an interview date confirmed by Monday.
Outside of Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson, the Knicks’ list also consists of Jerry Stackhouse, David Fizdale, Villanova’s Jay Wright, and David Blatt. All are quality options but it remains to be seen which of the group reciprocates the Knicks’ interest.
After getting off to a good start behind centerpiece Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks fizzled out as the season wore on and are need of a major change. That came once Hornacek was let go just days prior, but now the Knicks must find a fitting replacement that complements their roster.
Van Gundy last coached for the Houston Rockets over a decade ago in 2007 while Mark Jackson was removed from the Warriors head coaching position four years ago. Both currently work as sideline broadcasters for ESPN.