As the New York Knicks prepare for an organization restructuring after firing David Fizdale, the team is reportedly hiring former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt as a consultant.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Blatt is retiring from the coaching ranks following 26 seasons and will step into New York’s front office as a basketball operations consultant.
Blatt served as the Cavaliers coach from 2014-’16 before being fired midseason. He returned to coaching overseas, though he reportedly received interest from the Knicks in 2016 and in 2018. He also reportedly has strong ties to team executives Steve Mills and Craig Robinson.
The 60-year-old extensive basketball experience and his gifted mind for the game and how it operates, especially winning clubs, always caught the Knicks’ attention. Now he’s coming back to the NBA, in a different role, and the Knicks will hope he can play a part in the team’s long-term turnaround.