In a Phil Jackson stunner, the Knicks were zeroing in on former Suns coach Jeff Hornacek as their coach. A Hornacek hiring would end a bizarre search going on five weeks Thursday and could put an end to the triangle era, according to an NBA source.
Jackson didn?t interview Hornacek until Monday. But those two were joined by general manager Steve Mills for dinner Wednesday night at a back table at Nino?s Tuscany Steakhouse in Midtown, diners confirmed. A source said the club didn?t reach out to his reps until at least two weeks into the search process.
The NBA source said there is ?mutual interest,? but stated the framework of a contract had yet to be discussed, disputing a report Wednesday negotiations were virtually complete. It is headed that way, though Steve Kerr had a verbal agreement with the Knicks that fell through.
Interim coach Kurt Rambis was a teammate of Hornacek?s with the 1990-91 Phoenix Suns.
Sources have said Rambis would stay on board because of his triangle experience, but a source indicated it still is to be determined whether the triangle offense definitely will be used and if Rambis will remain or move to the front office. If the triangle returns, Rambis has all summer to tutor Hornacek in an offense many NBA cognoscenti consider outdated.
Five weeks ago, Jackson was dead set on continuing the triangle that won him 11 rings as coach, saying owner James Dolan brought him to the Garden for that purpose. But there has been a sudden, unexplained turn. Hornacek had no experience running the system in Phoenix, preferring a fast-paced attack.
After all the criticism the triangle has received, Jackson, during his Montana getaway, may have caved and instead chosen a coach with whom he will be ? as he put it five weeks ago ? ?simpatico.? Jackson always respected Hornacek as a player.
According to a source, Jackson has known Hornacek for 20 years, has found him easy to get along with as the two have enjoyed a strong rapport. Hornacek is also son of a coach ? something Jackson likes.
On SiriusXM radio, former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy said, ?The things I?ve heard is that he?s not going to be required to run the triangle. Which is smart from the standpoint that he?s never taught it before. So you don?t want to come in trying something that you?ve never played in or taught. But I think it?s an inspired choice.?
There will be speculation owner James Dolan wasn?t gung-ho about keeping Rambis as head coach ? an unpopular pick with fans. Sources have indicated Dolan let Jackson make the decision, but the Zen Master may have wanted to please his boss and top two players ? Carmelo Anthony, who had reservations about Rambis, and Kristaps Porzingis.
Anthony lobbied for the Knicks to interview a broad range of candidates, and a source said Porzingis was confused early on by how Rambis used him.
As many of Jackson?s friends echoed, ?You want to explain Phil Jackson? You can?t.?
In the mid-1990s Jackson attempted to trade for Hornacek and make him a member of the Chicago Bulls. Now Hornacek will likely soon be a Knick.
In his first head-coaching job after being a Jazz assistant, the 53-year-old Hornacek posted a 101-112 mark in Phoenix. He was fired this past season after a 14-35 start amid major injuries. With a point-guard heavy roster, Hornacek recorded a solid 48-34 ledger as a rookie head coach, finishing runner-up in the Coach of the Year voting. But the Suns fell to 39-43 in 2014-15.
When Jackson fired coach Derek Fisher in February, he had hoped Rambis could earn the job permanently, but he made ominous remarks five weeks ago about the club ?coming apart.?? Jackson was looking for what he called ?a transformational leader? ? which is a coach whose strength is team-building over task-building. Rambis seemed to fall short in the former category.
As a player, Hornacek was on the floor for the Jazz against Jackson?s Bulls for two NBA Finals, which the Zen Master?s team won. Hornacek was a longtime Jazz sharpshooter under coach Jerry Sloan.
Jackson also interviewed Frank Vogel, who reportedly is close to signing with Orlando. David Blatt, a friend of Mills, also met with Jackson. Jackson had interviewed preferred choice Luke Walton, but Walton chose the Lakers after that job opened. There is an opt-out in Jackson?s contract after the season, and he could return to the Lakers, whose front office could be headed for a shake-up.
