New York Knicks president Phil Jackson and TNT analyst Steve Kerr reportedly are "deep into discussions" about the latter becoming the Knicks' next head coach.
Kerr acknowledged he anticipated talking with Jackson about New York's coaching vacancy, but Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today Sports reports the two sides are already deep into talks.
"Kerr is part of the conversation, and the two sides are deep into discussions, a person familiar with the situation told USA Today Sports," Zillgitt wrote on Monday. "The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the Knicks' situation."
Kerr played five seasons in Chicago under Jackson and is familiar with the triangle offense, which most assume Jackson wants to implement in New York. He's long been rumored as the top contender for the Knicks job, and Mike Woodson's firing on Monday seemingly made it all but official.
"Steve Kerr remains frontrunner for the Knicks job," Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated tweeted on Monday. "(Denver coach) Brian Shaw the strongest, but he has a job."
George Willis of the New York Post reports Kerr is so confident he'll be hired that he has already made arrangements with TNT, where he currently works.
"According to a source close to the situation, Kerr 'absolutely expects' to be offered the job," Willis wrote on Friday. "'And if he's offered the job, he's definitely going to do it,' the source told The Post.
"The Post has learned Kerr has had conversations with his bosses at Turner Sports about adjusting his schedule as an analyst during the upcoming playoffs should he be named the Knicks' head coach."
Jackson fired Woodson on Monday after the team struggled all season and failed to make the playoffs.
