David Fizdale, a frontrunner from the start of this process, has reportedly “gained serious traction” to becoming the next Knicks coach. A source confirmed that language reported by Yahoo! but also emphasized a deal with Fizdale was not finalized. As of Wednesday evening, other candidates had not been informed they were out of the race, according to multiple sources. Fizdale also interviewed – or was reportedly scheduled to interview — for the jobs in Charlotte, Phoenix and Orlando.
More on David Fizdale Free Agency
The Knicks interviewed a wide array of candidates for their vacant head-coaching position, and have considered other candidates that include former Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt, former Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson and former Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer, league sources said. No agreement between Fizdale and the Knicks has been finalized, league sources said.
Fizdale emerged as a leading candidate after the Knicks fired Jeff Hornacek once the end of the season, but the front office made sure to do its due diligence in meeting with more than 10 coaching candidates. The Knicks’ front office met with accomplished head coaches – such Budenhozler, the 2014-15 Coach of the Year, Jackson, Mike Brown – as well as strong assistant candidates in San Antonio’s James Borrego, Boston’s Jay Larranaga and Miami’s Juwan Howard.
Fizdale would bring the Knicks one of the most desirable coaches on the market. The Phoenix Suns also expressed significant interest in Fizdale for their coaching vacancy, league sources said.
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, a Jerry Stackhouse, who coached Toronto's G-League affiliate, has been contacted and could have an interview date confirmed by Monday.
Some league officials believe that Fizdale may be the early favorite because the Knicks, according to two independent sources, reached out to Fizdale more than two weeks ago.
David Fizdale has job interviews scheduled this week for vacant head-coaching positions with the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns. But for now, Fizdale plans to attend Game 1 of the Warriors-Spurs series on Saturday so he can learn more.
Chris Mannix: An early favorite among Hornets officials: David Fizdale. But Fizdale--who is highly regarded despite how things ended in Memphis--could have better options.
