The New York Knicks, not the Golden State Warriors, reportedly are the favorite to land TNT analyst Steve Kerr as their next head coach. The Dallas Mavericks, meanwhile, may make a trade in the offseason for Knicks center Tyson Chandler.
The Dallas Mavericks reportedly are considering making a trade in the offseason for New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler. TNT analyst Steve Kerr, meanwhile, is leaning toward coaching the Knicks over the Golden State Warriors, according to two reports.
Chandler, who won a championship with Dallas, could be reunited with his former team. ESPN's Marc Stein reports the Mavericks are interested in trading for the center to bolster their frontcourt.
"The most interesting whisper, at this early stage, is that the Mavs intend to be at the front of the line to try to reacquire Tyson Chandler should the Knicks make their defensive anchor available via trade," Stein wrote on Tuesday.
There's a possibility New York does field offers for Chandler this summer. The Knicks aren't expected to be contenders again until after next season, and Chandler has already made it known he doesn't want to waste next season waiting for 2015, when the Knicks have salary cap flexibility to make major offseason moves.
"I definitely don't want to waste another season," Chandler said on April 15, via the New York Post. "I don't want to waste this season. I'm not into wasting seasons. Your time is too short in this league and I want to win a championship, another one. I'm not into wasting seasons."
If Knicks president Phil Jackson does plan to wait until 2015 to make moves, then the Knicks could look to trade Chandler in exchange for a first-round draft pick, something which they don't have again until 2018.
The Knicks' decision whether to keep Chandler could also depend on whether Knicks star Carmelo Anthony re-signs.
On New York's coaching front, contrary to the reports Kerr prefers to coach the Warriors, two new reports claim the Knicks are still the frontrunners to hire Kerr.
"Overwhelming sense in NBA coaching circles remains that Knicks, by virtue of Kerr's relationship (with) Phil Jackson, remain big favorites here," Stein tweeted on Tuesday.
Newsday also reported Kerr as leaning toward the Knicks, citing his close relationship with Jackson.
"Steve feels a strong allegiance to Phil," a source told Newsday this week. "We'll see how things proceed."
