As the NBA playoffs begin to heat up, one of the league’s marquee franchises is on the outside looking in, searching for a new head coach to bring it back to the promise land.

The New York Knicks fired former coach Jeff Hornacek last week following a 29-53 season that saw superstar forward Kristaps Porzingis miss a majority of the season following a knee injury.

Now, though, the Knicks have whittled down a short list of potential candidates that includes a pair of former UNC greats–Jerry Stackhouse and Kenny Smith.

Other candidates include former NBA head coaches such as Mike Woodson, David Blatt, Mark Jackson and David Fizdale.

Stackhouse spent one year as an assistant with the Toronto Raptors in 2016, before becoming the head coach of the team’s G-League affiliate, Raptors 905.

In 2017, Stackhouse guided Raptors 905 to the league title before bringing them back to the finals this season–making him one of the hottest coaching prospects on the market.

The Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets have both also expressed interest in Stackhouse’s services this offseason.

On the other hand, Smith has been a television analyst for Turner Sports since 1998 and is one of the game’s most visible commentators. What he doesn’t have, though, is any coaching experience.

New York is reportedly scheduled to interview Smith on Friday, but the New York Post states that the interview is mostly being done out of courtesy to Smith–who also interviewed for the team’s vacant general manager opening back in 2008.

 

 

Photo via Raptors 905

Related Stories
‹
Roy Williams Listed as a Presenter for Upcoming ESPY Awards
Former UNC head men’s basketball coach Roy Williams is listed as a scheduled presenter for this year’s ESPY Awards, which will take place on Saturday night. Williams retired following the conclusion of UNC’s season back in March after a wildly successful career in which he won 903 games during his time at both Kansas and […]
Four-Star Guard Seth Trimble Announces Commitment to UNC Men's Basketball
New UNC head men’s basketball coach Hubert Davis landed his second high school commitment for the Class of 2022 on Wednesday evening: four-star point guard Seth Trimble announced his intentions to join the Tar Heel program. Trimble — the younger brother of former UNC guard J.P. Tokoto — hails from Menomenee Falls, Wisconsin and is […]
Former UNC Forward Walker Miller Transferring to Monmouth
After previously announcing his intentions to transfer from the UNC program back in late March, graduate forward Walker Miller revealed Thursday that he will play out his final year of eligibility next season at Monmouth University. The 6-foot-11 forward — who is the younger brother of current Cincinnati head coach and former UNC player Wes […]
Former UNC Star Coby White Cuts Signature Hairstyle
Former UNC star point guard Coby White–a Goldsboro native now with the Chicago Bulls–revealed Tuesday night on Instagram that he has cut the signature floppy hairstyle that helped make him a fan favorite in Chapel Hill. The move comes after White wrapped up his second season in the NBA on Sunday night, scoring 19 points […]
Brandon Robinson to Join UNC Men's Basketball Staff as Graduate Assistant
A familiar face to Carolina basketball fans is set to return to the bench this fall, as a coach instead of a player. UNC head men’s basketball coach Hubert Davis told 97.9 The Hill’s Art Chansky in a recent interview that Brandon Robinson is returning to the program as a graduate assistant. “Brandon Robinson is […]
Hubert Davis: 'We’ve Got Armando Bacot Coming Back' to UNC
As a guest on the College Hoops Today podcast with Jon Rothstein on Monday, new UNC head coach Hubert Davis said he thinks forward Armando Bacot is returning to the Tar Heels next season. “We’ve got Armando Bacot coming back next year,” Davis told Rothstein. “He led our team in points and rebounds — he’s […]
Pat Sullivan Joins UNC Men's Basketball Coaching Staff
Another former Tar Heel player has joined the new men’s basketball staff under head coach Hubert Davis, as it was reported Monday evening that Pat Sullivan will join the team in a support role. Sullivan was teammates with Davis during the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons, and is one of eight Tar Heels to ever play […]
Men's Basketball: UNC Adds Oklahoma Transfer Brady Manek
After landing Virginia transfer Justin McKoy this past weekend, new UNC head coach Hubert Davis scored another incoming transfer on Friday with the addition of former Oklahoma forward Brady Manek. The 6-foot-9-inch, 231-pound senior averaged 10.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game last season for the Sooners, while shooting 37.5 percent from three-point range. Manek, […]
Garrison Brooks Announces Transfer to Mississippi State
Former UNC forward Garrison Brooks shared plans to transfer to Mississippi State to complete his final year of NCAA eligibility next season. Brooks, who has an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, announced the decision on Instagram Thursday. He will join the team where his father, George Brooks, is an assistant coach. Brooks […]
Walker Kessler Announces He Is Transferring to Auburn
Former UNC forward Walker Kessler announced via Instagram on Monday his plans to transfer to Auburn, squashing any chances the Tar Heels had of luring him back to Chapel Hill under new head coach Hubert Davis. Kessler previously announced he was entering the NCAA transfer portal in late March after the conclusion of UNC’s season. […]
›