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New York Knicks Rumors: David Blatt Close To A Deal To Become Team’s Next Head Coach, Other Major Upgrades Planned

By Nathan Francis
Published on: 09:40 PST, May 1, 2016

The New York Knicks are rumored to be close to finalizing a deal making David Blatt their next head coach, the first and most important step in an offseason that could include a number of other major improvements.

The Knicks interviewed Blatt on Monday, and on Sunday a report from SNY correspondent Tommy Dee indicated that the sides were close to finishing a deal.

Time could be pressing for the New York Knicks. A number of other teams closed out their coaching searches this week, with the Minnesota Timberwolves hiring Tom Thibodeau, the Los Angeles Lakers snagging Luke Walton, and the Brooklyn Nets selecting Kenny Atkinson. The coaching pool is growing shorter by the day, which could give the Knicks added incentive to snatch up the former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach quickly.

Despite a rocky exit from Cleveland and a strained relationship with LeBron James, David Blatt is seen as a good fit for the New York Knicks. As Marc Berman of The New York Post reported, Blatt is even willing to run Phil Jackson’s triangle offense.

“He’d be absolutely willing to run the triangle,” the NBA personnel director said. “There’s not great similarities between the two, but it is in the fundamental notion of ball movement, taking what the defense gives you.”

The New York Knicks are rumored to be considering a number of other major upgrades to their roster this offseason. Fansided reported that the Knicks are one of several teams interested in Mike Conley, who is seeking a max contract. Conley played an important role on the Memphis Grizzlies this season, averaging 15.3 points and 6.1 assists per game, and many expect that re-signing the point guard will be a major offseason objective for the Grizzlies. But he could also opt to explore free agency, and would be a good fit for a Knicks team in need of a point guard.

There are rumors of an even bigger move in the works for the New York Knicks. Reports have indicated that the Knicks may try to swing a deal sending Carmelo Anthony to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Blake Griffin.

As Fox Sports noted, there could be benefits to both sides in the potential blockbuster trade.

“The general one-for-one All-Star swap is never not interesting. Here, the Clippers get an ideal offensive small-ball four who’s never really played with a brilliant pass-first point guard like Paul. Anthony can space the floor on Paul/Jordan pick-and-rolls, pop out behind the three-point line on high screens for Paul and still isolate whenever necessary as the walking heat check he is. Anthony isn’t a defensive stopper, and the Clippers still need more athleticism on the perimeter if they want to ever get past the second round, but this deal allows the team’s Big 3 to all complement each another in ways they currently can’t. Griffin for Anthony isn’t a secret. It’s long made sense for both sides—even if Griffin walks after one year—and it’d be awesome to see it happen.”

If the New York Knicks rumors are true and David Blatt does end up getting the job, he could have a short learning curve. Phil Jackson has reportedly already run a seminar for Knicks players in mid-April to learn the fundamentals of the complicated triangle offense.

[Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images]

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