Knicks Trade Rumors

"Mike D’Antoni, who turned the Phoenix Suns into one of the N.B.A.’s most entertaining and successful teams of the last half-decade, has accepted the Knicks’ head coaching job. The Knicks have made no announcement and will not confirm reports that a deal has been consummated. But a Western Conference executive who is monitoring the talks said Saturday that a deal was “getting close.”"

"The field appears clear this weekend for the Knicks to take their best shot at bringing Mike D’Antoni to New York. While the Chicago Bulls, once believed to be D’Antoni’s most ardent suitor, have fallen back to a “wait-and-see” approach, several sources expect the Knicks to present a lucrative deal — expected to be five years in the $25 million to $30 million range — today to see if the still contractually obligated Phoenix Suns coach is serious about taking his act to Broadway."

"Friday came and went without any word on Mike D'Antoni's coaching status with the Suns, Chicago Bulls or New York Knicks. How's Saturday sound? Or maybe Sunday? A resolution regarding D'Antoni's status with New York and Chicago is expected Saturday or Sunday. It might have something to do with the fact that Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf was expected to travel to the Valley, where he has a home. He was expected to arrive Friday and at some point meet with D'Antoni."

"Signs continue to point toward the Knicks New York Knicks landing Mike D'Antoni as coach, and he could receive an offer from Knick president Donnie Walsh as early as today, according to a league source. Meanwhile, the Bulls are either cooling off or not prepared to come close to matching the Knicks financially, despite a report that Chicago would make an offer by tomorrow. The Bulls are talking about interviewing more candidates, and may not make an offer this weekend, putting the Knicks in good shape."

"If the reports out of New York are accurate, the Knicks are ready to offer Mike D’Antoni a five-year contract worth $30 million or more to become their next coach. But one of those reports was wrong when it had the Bulls preparing to make an offer to D’Antoni by Sunday. Sources said the Bulls have no plans to extend a contract to D’Antoni by this weekend. "

"If Mike D’Antoni is using the Knicks as leverage to get a better deal from the Bulls, those around him are constructing an impressive mirage. Sources in both Phoenix and on the East Coast told the Tribune that the expected face-to-face meeting between D’Antoni’s agent, Warren LeGarie, and Knicks president Donnie Walsh didn’t come off Thursday. But there were some telephone discussions, in which mutual interest was made clear enough to take talks to the next level."

"Donnie Walsh efuted an Internet report that the Knicks were preparing to make Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni a "staggering" offer to succeed Isiah Thomas. The Knicks president has not given any indication that D'Antoni has supplanted Mark Jackson as the favorite to become his team's next coach. Instead, Walsh is doing what he normally does: playing it close to the vest. Jackson, according to sources, remains Walsh's top choice while D'Antoni could emerge as a candidate as well. "

" Sources indicated yesterday Knicks president Donnie Walsh is torn on whether to offer the job to the star coach available, Mike D'Antoni, or take a slight gamble on someone with no head-coaching experience, Mark Jackson. Last night Walsh, through a spokesman, emphatically said he has not offered the job to anybody, contrary to a report. "

"Mike D’Antoni is likely headed elsewhere by this weekend, but not much progress toward his final destination was made Wednesday. That could change quickly today. ESPN.com, citing NBA coaching sources, reported the New York Knicks are prepared to make a “staggering” financial offer to D’Antoni to prove he is the No. 1 choice to lead that once-proud franchise out of the wilderness. The offer, which could top $30 million for five years, would figure to far outdistance any offer D’Antoni’s other suitor, the Chicago Bulls, could muster."

"If Suns coach Mike D'Antoni could get what he wanted for his 57th birthday today, it would be a long-term contract with just compensation from the Chicago Bulls. An NBA source close to the situation said three things could make that happen: "

"Donnie Walsh has interviewed at least five candidates for the Knicks' head coaching job and has reached out to several others. And yet Mark Jackson, who was the favorite last month, remains the odds-on favorite to succeed Isiah Thomas. "I would say that's a pretty good bet," said a Knicks source. "It is still Mark's job to lose." "

"A radio report out of New York late Wednesday said Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni has an offer from another NBA team, but sources indicated that team is not the Bulls, who still intend to line up an interview with Avery Johnson. Bulls general manager John Paxson remained in town for a second consecutive day Wednesday, and the interview with Johnson has not been scheduled. Johnson, fired by the Dallas Mavericks last week, reportedly met in Houston on Tuesday with New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh. Walsh is expected to meet today in New York with Warren LeGarie, the agent for D'Antoni."

"As John Paxson still pondered the pros and cons of hiring Mike D'Antoni, a relatively quiet day in the Bulls' coaching search passed with one very important detail. Paxson remained at the Berto Center. Instead of traveling to Houston to follow the Knicks in interviewing Avery Johnson, Paxson and Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf appear willing to pay top dollar only for D'Antoni—if even him. Sources close to Johnson confirmed a Tribune report that the Bulls are cooling on Johnson, who still is owed $12 million from the Mavericks."

"Rick Carlisle is nearly off the market, and Mike D’Antoni — who never officially hit the market — could be the next top-tier N.B.A. coach to land a new job... D’Antoni, who is also represented by LeGarie, is anticipating offers from the Knicks and the Chicago Bulls by the weekend. If that happens, D’Antoni could make a decision by early next week. LeGarie contradicted reports that D’Antoni was already weighing an offer from Chicago."

"Mike D'Antoni is on the short list in both Chicago and New York - but he remains the coach of the Phoenix Suns because there are complications keeping both those lists from shrinking down to just his name. League sources confirm that two meetings with D'Antoni and Chicago general manager John Paxson progressed well enough for D'Antoni to be considered the front-runner for the Bulls' position. "

"General manager John Paxson has declined to comment, but ESPN.com is reporting, citing NBA front-office sources, that the Bulls and Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni are close to agreeing on a deal. But a Phoenix radio station reports that D'Antoni is closer to a deal with the New York Knicks because money is getting in the way of a Bulls' deal."

"A Phoenix source said D'Antoni would like to know by Friday which team he will be coaching next season and that the door to return to the Suns has not been shut completely by owner Robert Sarver. Sarver's stance, however, is likely based on the fact the Suns owe D'Antoni $8.5 million for the two years left on his contract unless he is hired by another team. Reports out of New York say Mark Jackson, whom Paxson also interviewed, remains the Knicks' top choice. Rick Carlisle, the first candidate Paxson interviewed, is regarded as the favorite to take over for Johnson in Dallas."

"D'Antoni has made it clear to general manager John Paxson that he covets the Bulls' job. But D'Antoni also interviewed for the Knicks' job, and talk in league circles centered on D'Antoni's camp using the Knicks as leverage to drive up the Bulls' price tag... The cat-and-mouse game of musical chairs should end soon, with D'Antoni's camp telling both franchises it expects a conclusion by the end of this week. Despite several reports to the contrary, neither the Knicks nor the Bulls had presented D'Antoni with a formal offer as of late Tuesday."

"After interviewing with Knicks president Donnie Walsh in the Phoenix area on Monday, D'Antoni reportedly is headed to Chicago to succeed Scott Skiles as soon as the two sides can agree on a contract, according to NBA sources. Walsh traveled from Arizona to the Houston area Tuesday and met with former Mavs coach Avery Johnson to continue his "due-diligence tour." But Jackson is still regarded as the overwhelming favorite to replace Isiah Thomas. Before Walsh talked to D'Antoni, the Bulls interviewed him on Sunday, apparently coming away thinking that his prolific offensive system will be a good fit for Luol Deng, Ben Gordon and other players who underachieved this season. "

"Mark Jackson remains the favorite because of skepticism that D'Antoni would actually join the 23-59 Knicks laughingstock, that he's using the Knicks to drive up the Bulls' price. Stephon Marbury is still their starting point guard, and D'Antoni was not a big fan."

"The Knicks and Bulls may lock horns in a bidding war for Suns coach Mike D'Antoni. According to a source close to the Suns coach, D'Antoni is expecting to receive formal proposals from the Knicks and Bulls by week's end. At least that's what he hopes. The imminent nature of these two offers likely was urged by D'Antoni, who has been told by Suns GM Steve Kerr the club wants a decision by Friday."

"Mike D'Antoni isn't wasting any time in his search for new employment. The Tribune confirmed a report from SI.com Monday that both Chicago general manager John Paxson and New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh have flown to the Valley to interview D'Antoni. He is still technically the head coach of the Suns, but was given permission to seek other employment after Friday's meeting with GM Steve Kerr and team owner Robert Sarver produced little common ground for moving forward together."

"A day after a lengthy meeting to discuss ways to mend the relationship with his bosses, Suns coach Mike D'Antoni was ready to move on - elsewhere. D'Antoni met with Chicago Bulls General Manager John Paxson on Sunday night and New York Knicks President Donnie Walsh on Monday about each team's head-coaching vacancy."

"By tomorrow, Knicks president Donnie Walsh will have interviewed Mike D'Antoni and Avery Johnson as his decision on whom to offer the coaching job of the moribund franchise takes shape. Walsh had a reservation last night at a Phoenix hotel and was expected to have dinner with D'Antoni. A source said Bulls president John Paxson met with D'Antoni Sunday night, and Chicago appears to be the favorite. "

"While Bulls general manager John Paxson maintained his vow of silence with the media Monday concerning his coaching search, Paxson apparently is doing plenty of talking. After reportedly interviewing Denver Nuggets assistant Mike Dunlap on Saturday, Paxson was in Phoenix on Sunday and Monday to meet with Suns coach Mike D'Antoni. Word out of Phoenix is that D'Antoni told Paxson he wants to be the Bulls' next coach. New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh also traveled to Phoenix over the weekend to interview D'Antoni."

"The innovative coach Mike D’Antoni and the Phoenix Suns appear to be moving toward a swift divorce, and it could be only a matter of days before he lands in New York or Chicago. In response to reports in the news media, the Suns confirmed Monday that D’Antoni had permission to speak with other teams, a reversal of the position the team took publicly last week. Sports Illustrated reported on its Web site that D’Antoni had already met with one team Sunday and was meeting with a second team Monday. Those teams were believed to be the Bulls and the Knicks."

"KTAR (620 AM), the Suns flagship station, reported late Sunday night that general manager Steve Kerr had granted D’Antoni permission to speak with both the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks about their vacant head coaching positions. That’s a sign Friday’s initial two-hour meeting between D’Antoni, Kerr and Suns managing partner Robert Sarver may have revealed too big of a disconnect for coach and GM to continue working together."

"Suns coach Mike D'Antoni will interview with Chicago and New York about their head coaching vacancies in a sign that he and the Suns brass may have irreconcilable differences. D'Antoni and Suns General Manager Steve Kerr were not available for comment but a franchise source confirmed a KTAR-AM report that Suns management had given D'Antoni permission to interview with other teams."

"Suns coach Mike D'Antoni has been granted permission to speak with NBA teams, including the Bulls and Knicks, according to KTAR-AM 620 in Phoenix. D'Antoni was previously denied permission to speak with any team, Suns GM Steve Kerr told the radio station last week."

"Yes, Johnson will be in high demand, sought by the Knicks and Bulls and perhaps even the Warriors, should he decide to take a year off and succeed Nelson (just as he did in Dallas three years ago). Then again, he was finished with the Mavericks. He had a 23-24 playoff record, losing the last nine on the road. You can't imagine how that feels until you've experienced the seething Mark Cuban, sitting courtside just a few feet behind you. In that sense, getting fired is a huge break for Johnson, who was treated well (financially) by Cuban but doesn't need any more of that malarkey."

"If Avery Johnson listens to his longtime mentor, legendary black-college coach Ben Jobe, he will be beating down Donnie Walsh's door to coach the Knicks. If Walsh listens to his longtime friend and confidant, Ben Jobe, Walsh will be beating down Johnson's door. Jobe, Avery's college coach at Southern University and the main character in Dan Klores' "Black Magic" documentary, told The Post he had been in Walsh's ear Thursday and Friday, singing Avery's praises. "

"Walsh is expected to have a head coach in place before he makes a decision on his next general manager. Mark Jackson still is regarded as the favorite, although just-fired Mavs coach Avery Johnson likely will be interviewed...Walsh recently interviewed Rick Carlisle, but the former Pistons and Pacers coach appears to be the favorite to replace Johnson in Dallas."

"Kenny Smith took the first step toward ditching Charles Barkley as a sidekick and becoming Donnie Walsh's righthand man when the TNT analyst interviewed for the Knicks' general manager job on Friday. "It was a great meeting," Smith said Saturday. "I'm happy I got the opportunity to talk to Donnie. We both knew each other, but it was the first time we got a chance to sit down, talk and really get to know one another." "

"Toronto President Bryan Colangelo ran off to scout in Spain this weekend, insisting that Sam Mitchell will coach the Raptors next season. Mitchell has been mentioned as a candidate for the Knicks' coaching job because of his ties to team president Donnie Walsh. "

"Rick Carlisle won't be reunited with former boss Donnie Walsh with the Knicks. Sources told The Post last night that the former Pacer and Piston coach, who interviewed with Walsh for the Knick coaching job Wednesday, has agreed to terms with the Mavericks to replace Avery Johnson. "

"An NBA source said D'Antoni is first on Dallas' wish list to replace Johnson. Chicago and New York also might be interested in D'Antoni, but Kerr said he would not grant permission to a team seeking to talk to D'Antoni. Kerr's sole focus is to find common ground with D'Antoni about how the team can be improved, particularly on defense, with him as coach. "

"Avery Johnson has been out of work for only two days and already has been contacted by at least three teams, including the Phoenix Suns, according to an NBA source. The same source indicated that as of late Thursday afternoon the Knicks had not contacted Johnson, the coach who was fired by the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, but that team president Donnie Walsh was expected to reach out to him this weekend. Walsh is close friends with legendary college coach Ben Jobe, who is Johnson's coaching mentor. "

"Knicks president Donnie Walsh made preliminary contact with Avery Johnson yesterday to express interest in interviewing the fired Mavericks coach and is also monitoring the Suns' situation with Mike D'Antoni that could be resolved by the weekend, according to sources."

"Avery Johnson's name has been added to the Knicks' ever-growing list of coaching candidates. A source close to Donnie Walsh said the Knicks' president is targeting several head coaches and assistant coaches of playoff teams to interview but that he will not make contact with any of them until their respective seasons end. Johnson, though, became available yesterday, when he was fired less than 24 hours after the Dallas Mavericks were eliminated by New Orleans in five games. "

"This is what Knick president Donnie Walsh was waiting for. The Knick coaching search revved up yesterday as Dallas fired Avery Johnson and the Suns reportedly planned to ax Mike D'Antoni. The developments gave lead candidate Mark Jackson serious competition, with Walsh interested in talking to Johnson and D'Antoni, if the latter becomes available, according to sources. The news justifies Walsh's decision not to rush into hiring Jackson, with three Coach of the Year winners, including Raptor coach Sam Mitchell, possibly on the market, too. "

"Avery Johnson was fired by the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, and Mike D’Antoni clung loosely to his job in Phoenix — their fates underscoring that success is no guarantee of security for N.B.A. head coaches. The Mavericks fired Johnson a day after his team was eliminated from the playoffs by the New Orleans Hornets. The Suns also lost their first-round series, to the San Antonio Spurs, amid widespread reports that D’Antoni would be replaced."

"With two years and $8.5 million left on his contract, D'Antoni is unlikely to be fired. If he returns, it could be with concessions to change. But there is also the possibility that he leaves of his own accord, especially with a perceived lack of support - and interest from New York and Chicago, both of which have vacancies. There is also the chance Toronto President Bryan Colangelo fires Sam Mitchell to hire the coach he brought to Phoenix from Italy."

"The revolving door between pro teams and TV analysts might be about to get a big spin — opening up two of the top NBA jobs on TV. TNT's Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley's sidekick on the most lively studio show in TV sports, is interested in becoming the New York Knicks general manager. "

"If even flirting with the idea of bringing back Jeff Van Gundy was a test of the autonomy Garden chairman James Dolan bestowed on Donnie Walsh to run the Knicks, including Larry Brown on Walsh's list of candidates might have resulted in seismic tremors felt throughout 2 Penn Plaza."

"On the day Bobcats part-owner Michael Jordan resurrected Larry Brown's career, the former Knicks coach looked back on his disastrous season in New York and took full responsibility... Brown likely will pluck Knicks assistant Dave Hanners for his coaching staff and possibly longshot Knicks candidate Herb Williams. Bobcats advisor Bernie Bickerstaff could head to the Knicks as Mark Jackson's top assistant."

"With two years and $8.5 million left on his contract, D'Antoni is unlikely to be fired. If he returns, it could be with concessions to change. But there is also the possibility that he leaves of his own accord, especially with a perceived lack of support - and interest from New York and Chicago, both of which have vacancies. There is also the chance Toronto President Bryan Colangelo fired Sam Mitchell to hire the coach he brought to Phoenix from Italy."

"Despite his reputation as a mediocre defensive coach, Mike D'Antoni is on Donnie Walsh's radar for the Knick opening if D'Antoni is fired by the Suns after the first round, according to a source close to the Knick president. Meanwhile, veteran coach Paul Silas told The Post last night he plans on contacting Walsh in the next few days with interest in interviewing for the Knick job."

"If Donnie Walsh wants to interview Boston Celtics associate head coach Tom Thibodeau for the Knicks' coaching position, he might have to wait until after the NBA Finals."

"The Bulls' coaching search continues with no favorite having emerged and no hiring imminent, according to those close to the situation. General manager John Paxson is set to interview Mark Jackson in Los Angeles, likely Wednesday. Jackson, the longtime NBA point guard and currently a TV analyst, reportedly is the front-runner to land the New York Knicks' vacancy."