It’s very possible that Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks will again be looking to fill their head coaching vacancy this offseason. According to Ian Begley of ESPN, one name that they’re considering is former Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt.
“One name that the Knicks are considering, according to league sources, is former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt.
Jackson views Blatt favorably, according to sources. It’s also worth noting that Blatt played basketball with Knicks GM Steve Mills at Princeton.”
Begley notes interim head coach Kurt Rambis is still in the running as well.
Quite honestly, Blatt deserves another chance at coaching in the NBA. His record was certainly aided by getting to coach LeBron James, but the bottom line was that Blatt went 83-40 and took a depleted team to the NBA Finals in his only full season, losing in six games to the Golden State Warriors.
While the talent in New York is not what it was in Cleveland, especially at the top of the roster, the cupboard wouldn’t exactly be bare. The Knicks are 32-49 and will miss the playoffs for a third straight season, but they do have talent in place with the main building block being Kristaps Porzingis.
Blatt is one of several big name coaches who figure to be on the market this offseason, joining Tom Thibodeau and Luke Walton.