The New York Knickerbockers have agreed to a contract with David Fizdale to become their next head coach, it has been reported.
Fizdale and Knicks management hammered out a four-year deal on Thursday, ESPN reported.
The former Memphis Grizzlies coach was the Knicks’ top choice this offseason.
In his one full season coaching Memphis, Fizdale led the team to the playoffs.
The New York Knickerbockers have agreed to a contract with David Fizdale (left) to become their next head coach, it has been reported. He will succeed Jeff Hornacek (right), who was fired by the club after two losing seasons
His tenure in Memphis ended after he reportedly had a falling out with Marc Gasol, a star player for the Grizzlies.
The Knicks are expected to introduce Fizdale at a press conference sometime early next week.
New York fired their previous coach, Jeff Hornacek, after two losing seasons.
The Knicks, led by general manager Scott Perry and president Steve Mills, interviewed a total of 11 candidates for the head coaching position.
They interviewed former Cavaliers coach David Blatt; former Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer; former Warriors coach Mark Jackson; Miami Heat assistant coach Juwan Howard; San Antonio assistant James Borrego; Toronto G League coach Jerry Stackhouse; Boston Celtics assistant coach Jay Larranaga; and Clippers assistant Mike Woodson.
Fizdale was a top candidate for a number of teams, including the Charlotte Hornets, the Orlando Magic, and the Atlanta Hawks.
He will have a tall order – bringing the Knicks back to respectability.
It has been speculated that the Knicks wanted Fizdale because they feel it bolsters their chances of signing LeBron James (above) in the offseason
The franchise has not appeared in the playoffs in five years.
It has been speculated that the Knicks wanted Fizdale because they feel it bolsters their chances of signing LeBron James in the offseason.
Fizdale was an assistant coach in Miami under Erik Spoelstra when James played for the Heat.
The two are said to have enjoyed a positive working relationship, according to the New York Daily News.
Nonetheless, it is considered unlikely that James will choose to play for the Knicks after this season.
‘He’s a brilliant basketball mind that has exceptional, gold-standard level communication skills,’ Spoelstra said recently of Fizdale.
‘He’s one of my best friends. But I say that objectively. I just think he’s one of the most talented coaches I’ve been around.’