Sources: Knicks part ways with coach Hornacek

4:33 AM ET

Adrian WojnarowskiESPN

The New York Knicks dismissed coach Jeff Hornacek early Thursday morning, league sources told ESPN.

Knicks president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry informed Hornacek of his firing upon the team's return to suburban New York following a flight back from Cleveland, where the Knicks beat the Cavaliers 110-98.

Hornacek had one year left on his contract. Kurt Rambis, associate head coach under Hornacek, was also dismissed.

The Knicks went 60-104 under Hornacek, the sixth-worst record in the NBA over that stretch, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

New York made the first of what are expected to be several coaching changes this offseason, joining Milwaukee, Phoenix and Memphis on the market. Those three teams made coaching changes during the regular season, inserting interim head coaches. The futures of Charlotte coach Steve Clifford and Detroit president/coach Stan Van Gundy are expected to be determined in the coming days.

Perry, who was hired as general manager in July, will finally have the chance to hire his own coach. The Knicks are determined to stay the course on drafting and player development as they await the return of All-Star center Kristaps Porzingis, who isn't expected back until midway through next season as he recovers from a torn ACL.

New York is targeting the summer of 2019 to explore the free-agent market in a serious way, when the team could have significant salary-cap space and Porzingis back to full strength.

In a competitive marketplace this spring, the mystique of Madison Square Garden as well as the resources and willingness to pay a lot in terms of coaching salary give New York a distinct advantage in recruiting available candidates.

Former Grizzlies coach David Fizdale, former Cavaliers coach David Blatt -- now coaching in Turkey -- and former Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson are among the candidates the Knicks are planning to contact, league sources told ESPN. New York also plans to contact Jerry Stackhouse, the head coach of Toronto 905, the Toronto Raptors' G League affiliate, according to sources.

Hornacek was hired by then-team president Phil Jackson and then-GM Mills prior to the 2016-17 season.

New York hasn't reached the playoffs in five seasons and has one playoff series win in the past 18 years. In Hornacek's first season in New York, Jackson requested that Hornacek blend elements of the triangle offense with what the coach preferred to run. The combination hindered the Knicks all season, as New York finished 2016-17 ranked 18th in offensive rating.

This season, Mills and Perry said they would evaluate Hornacek based on the development of younger players and the team's improvement on defense over the course of the season.

ESPN's Ian Begley contributed to this report.

Let's block ads! (Why?)