After being turned down by Steve Kerr, New York Knicks president Phil Jackson reportedly plans to halt the team's coaching search until he can speak with Oklahoma City Thunder veteran Derek Fisher. Jackson is also expected to try to trade for Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Love in the offseason.
Kerr, New York's first and seemingly only choice to replace Mike Woodson, spurned the Knicks in favor of coaching the Golden State Warriors. Although the draft is around the corner, Jackson reportedly is in no hurry to hire a coach and wants to interview Fisher before continuing the coaching search.
"(Jackson) continues to send out signals that he's in no rush to hire a coach until he can seriously discuss the position with Oklahoma City's Derek Fisher, according to sources close to the process," ESPN's Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne wrote on Sunday.
Fisher, who's in the middle of a playoff run with Oklahoma City, may not be available until late June if the Thunder reach the finals. Even once Oklahoma City's season ends, there's no guarantee Fisher would accept the job in New York -- one report indicated Fisher would take a year off after the season, and Thunder coach Scott Brooks recently said he wouldn't be surprised if Fisher chose to play again next season.
If Fisher doesn't reunite with Jackson in the Big Apple, ESPN named Luke Walton, Mike Dunleavy and Mark Jackson as other potential candidates for the Knicks' job.
Jackson is also expected to pursue Love, whose representatives reportedly told Minnesota over the weekend that the All-Star planned to opt out of his contract next summer. The Associated Press reported Minnesota's position on trading Love has "softened," and the team would be willing to move the All-Star for the right deal.
Love is interested in the Knicks, according to the New York Daily News, but it's doubtful New York could offer Minnesota anything worthwhile in a trade. New York lacks the assets to entice Minnesota, which reportedly wants a first-round draft pick and at least one veteran in exchange for the power forward.
The Knicks don't have a first-round pick until 2018, and their best asset -- veteran Tyson Chandler -- becomes a free agent next summer.
Other teams expected to be contenders in the Love sweepstakes include the Chicago Bulls, the Golden State Warriors, the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers.
