If Jeff Hornacek does not return as Knicks head coach, it’s possible that current Clippers head coach Doc Rivers would consider that vacancy if he also departs from his current team, Marc Berman of The New York Post writes.
Rivers spent parts of three seasons with the Knicks as a player during his 14-year NBA career. A former associate of Rivers tells Berman that Rivers — who has coached the Clippers since 2013 — still holds the team in high regard.
“Doc enjoyed his time there,’’ the former associate said. “He respects the city, he respects the organization.’’
The season-ending injury to Kristaps Porzingis has complicated the long-term future for the Knicks. Porzingis is expected to miss the next 10 months, which would sideline him for at least the start of the 2018/19 season. While that could alter the pursuit of head coaches, Rivers’ background with the team from his playing days could help the Knicks if he’s on their wish list.
Check out other Knicks notes below:
- Speaking of Porzingis, he was spotted in Manhattan on Tuesday leaving a rehab appointment, per The New York Post. Porzingis was walking without the assistance of crutches but his trainer was still carrying them. The big man went down with a torn ACL on February 8.
- March 1 is the last day for the Knicks to make a determination on Joakim Noah so he can sign with another club and be eligible for the postseason. The Knicks do not have to waive him or agree to a buyout by then, though it would be in Noah’s best interest if a resolution is reached by then. Both Marc Berman of the New York Post and ESPN’s Bobby Marks (subscription required and recommended) identify $5MM as the salary Noah could potentially leave on the table to help facilitate a move — that would slightly reduce the Knicks’ cap hits without significantly compromising Noah’s earnings, since he could earn most of that money back on minimum-salary contracts.
- Earlier today, we passed along more Knicks-related notes, including more details on the Noah situation, which is reportedly being monitored by the NBPA.
Why would Doc go to New York when they still have zero shot at contending? I don’t see that one happening.
It’s NY. If management reboots correctly, (which I personally suspect they won’t) there’s no better place to win. Patience is required from both the coach as well as management, but it’s doable.
The Brinks truck that Dolan would give him
I really don’t get why the NBPA has anything to monitor with Noah. The contract works both ways. If he wants to be paid the full contract then he’s going to have to stay with the Knicks and they’re under no obligation to play him. The only way the NBPA would have anything to say here would be if they would’ve suspended him, but as long as he’s being paid they need to stay out of it.
Excellent point it’s the Knicks fault for giving out that kind of money to a very marginal player but now that they made that mistake in judgement it doesn’t entail that they make another mistake and give him a buyout just sit him at the end of the bench .I would give my up my left kidney to just to sit on a NBA bench and get pay the ludicrous money they pay these whining spoiled players.
Completely agree. His performance and behavior warrants the current situation. If he wants to play he should get better and grow up.
Yes, they don’t. Under basic NBA contract, the team’s obligation is to pay $$, period. And this has been done before, although I can’t remember 2+ years of warehousing a guy who claims to be healthy.
He is a bad coach, not sure when people will learn this. Had 3 hall of famers on his team and only won 1 title. He has since successfully ran the clippers into the ground with poor coaching and favoritism towards his son. Move along knicks.
I agree Bad Coach, plz don’t even think about Rivers, we need a good defensive coach like Mark Jackson, Hornacek SUCKS!!!!
Agreed. I’m still trying to figure out how this guy has tricked people into thinking he’s a great coach. Voodoo? Magic? Sorcery? He’s a mediocre coach and (was) an atrocious President of Basketball Operations.
Knick fans should be praying that if Doc Rivers does end up in New York, that he doesn’t have roster control (aka isn’t made coach/GM). Outside of CP3, Blake, DJ, JJ Redick, and Jamal Crawford, those Clippers teams were pretty shallow depth wise. Even Thibs crafts deeper rosters than Doc and Thibs ends up playing his starters basically 75% of the game.
Scott Perry would never allow that
Doc Rivers is terrible. Don’t do it, Knicks.
I’m not a fan of going after Rivers, but he is better than Hornacek. With all the injuries and upheaval in LA this year, the Clips are still on the cusp of a playoff spot in a very competitive 3 through 8 race in the West. Doc’s problems arise when you hand him control over personnel decisions, which Perry would not do.
And as for Jackson, everyone needs to keep in mind that attracting great coaches is no different than chasing big name FA’s. You still have to make it an attractive situation to come to, and I don’t see Jackson feeling that NY is the place to resume his coaching career right now.
Doc could be the bait to lure in Lebron, Lebron loves Doc. Lebron loves shooters, Porzingis is basically a guard in a 7’3 body. Lebron could make a killing getting KP jumpshots all game, they would be a force together. Two huge players with that type of athletic ability and who both possess elite perimeter skills would be breath taking.
Hold firm, Jo. The Knicks should pay you every penny they owe you. No discounts! #Holdat
he definitely can hold firm, but he’ll also need to shut his trap and watch the game from his seat
Please, no more “savior” coaches. Focus on talent procurement and player development. Neither of which has ever been a strength or interest of Doc Rivers (who mutually parted ways with Boston when they decided to rebuild). He isn’t even that good as a coach of a veteran team.
Knicks need to hold firm. A 5 mm cut over the entire contract would amount to a raise for Noah if he signs minimum contracts elsewhere for the balance of this year and the next two. But if it can all come off the last year of the contract, it might be OK for the Knicks (but not if its spread over remaining contract). Knicks will have no cap space until the summer of 2019 in any event so only the last year matters. The contract will have some value in the last year or at that point can be stretched meaningfully.