The Knicks have not had a permanent head coach for more than six months.
At this rate, another month will pass before they finally nominate one.
A ninth candidate – and another assistant coach – is in the mix while the Knicks asked Mark Cuban’s Mavericks for permission to speak with Rick Carlisle’s assistant, Jamahl Mosley, a confirmed NBA source.
Mosley will be one of five assistant coaches without coaching experience that beginner president Leon Rose will interview as he expands his research to look at young coaches for the future. Mosley has been on Carlisle’s staff for six seasons and was reportedly interviewed for the Cavaliers main work in 2019. According to a Dallas source, Mosley’s strength is in interpreting the analysis and is a key voice. in Carlisle’s ear regarding gambling decisions.
For the past two seasons, Mosley has been in charge of Dallas’ defense and has worked with former Maverick Dennis Smith Jr., which the Knicks acquired in the Kristaps Porzingis trade. Mosley, who has performed internationally on three continents, is also the third African American candidate on Rose’s list, joining Ime Udoka and Mike Woodson.
The past season began with the NBA fielding only eight African American coaches in the NBA – a concern for the league, especially considering the racial conflict going on in the country.
Six of the candidates come from the basketball department of the Creative Artists Agency, which Rose ran. Rose can interview up to 10 candidates. The Knicks interviewed 11 candidates in their most recent coaching search, conducted in part by GM Scott Perry.
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“It seems obvious that this is a great way to put their names in the pipe and give them some visibility for the next cycle,” an NBA coaching source told The Post. “Time is on their side.”
Veteran Tom Thibodeau is considered the main candidate, but Rose is in no hurry with an unexpected decision until July. Thibodeau has no other suitors with 22 teams in preparation for the restart, which will not end for some teams until the end of August.
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