The New York Knicks and TNT broadcaster Steve Kerr reportedly are close to finalizing a contract to make him the Knicks' next head coach. Kerr, who's expected to attend the NBA draft combine on Thursday with Knicks president Phil Jackson, reportedly wants a contract that runs concurrent with Jackson's contract.
Kerr and the Knicks are expected to agree on a deal soon, according to both ESPN and the New York Daily News.
"Negotiations to finalize an agreement between Steve Kerr and the New York Knicks are progressing toward the final stages, sources close to the talks confirmed to ESPN New York," Ian Begley of ESPN wrote on Sunday. "In the wake of ESPN.com's report Saturday that the Warriors fear Kerr is 'too deep' into talks with the Knicks to take the Golden State job, one source told ESPN New York that negotiations between Kerr and the Knicks are 'pretty far down the road.'"
Frank Isola of The Daily News reported the deal should be done this week, in time for Kerr to attend the NBA draft combine with Jackson.
"Kerr's agent, former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, is still negotiating with the Knicks but the two sides are optimistic that a deal would be in place early this week," Isola wrote on Sunday. "The plan is to have Kerr accompany Knicks president Phil Jackson to Chicago for the NBA draft combine that begins Thursday."
Although Golden State was considered a contender for Kerr, his close relationship with Jackson -- he played under Jackson in Chicago -- has long made the Knicks the favorite to land Kerr.
The New York Post reported Thursday that even if Kerr accepted the Knicks job, he wouldn't leave his TNT job until after the NBA playoffs.
