Four months after the Yankees plucked a former player with no managerial experience out of the broadcast booth, the Knicks are apparently entertaining the idea of making a similar move.
According to ESPN, the Knicks will interview TNT analyst Kenny Smith on Friday for their head coaching vacancy.
Smith played 11 seasons (1987-97) in the NBA for the Kings, Hawks, Rockets, Pistons, Magic and Nuggets, but he has no coaching experience. The former point guard won two NBA titles with the Rockets. His best season with Houston came in 1990-91 when he averaged 17.7 points and 7.1 assists per game.
MORE: Schmeelk: Knicks Should Steer Clear Of Mark Jackson In Coaching Search
The 53-year-old is a Queens native who played for legendary coach Jack Curran at Archbishop Molloy High School before starring at North Carolina.
The Knicks are searching for a replacement for Jeff Hornacek, who was fired after going 31-51 and 29-53 in his two seasons in New York.
Smith, who interview for the Knicks' general manager opening in 2008, appears to face an uphill battle for the job. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the top four candidates are former Grizzlies coach David Fizdale, ex-Warriors coach Mark Jackson, former Cavaliers coach David Blatt and Raptors G League coach Jerry Stackhouse.
MORE: Keidel: Knicks Would Be Crazy To Bring Back Mike Woodson As Head Coach
The Knicks interviewed Stackhouse earlier this week in New York, and met with Jackson and Clippers assistant Mike Woodson on Wednesday in Los Angeles. Woodson was the Knicks' head coach from 2012-14 as well as the Atlanta Hawks' coach for six seasons from 2004-10.
Fizdale is expected to interview either Thursday or Friday in Los Angeles.
And the Knicks are expected to talk next week to Blatt, a college teammate of team president Steve Mills and Knicks player development director Craig Robinson.