Knicks Rumors: Updates on Potential Moves and Mike D'Antoni's Successor

Earlier on Wednesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported that Mike D'Antoni has resigned from the Knicks. 

Naturally, when one coach leaves, the question becomes, who will replace him? Fortunately, this is New York, and no shortage of names are being discussed. Let's take a look at a few of them.

Phil Jackson

This name is going to be the biggest name you hear until the position is filled. Jackson is a former Knicks player, and coaching them would complete the big-market triangle (no pun intended) of Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.

Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops all but said that the job will belong to Jackson if he wants it.

"Expect to see Anthony as more of a primary ballhandler under interim coach Mike Woodson, who presumably will hold the job until Phil Jackson is asked to take it."

Not everyone believes that this is a real possibility. Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk is a prime example of that.

"

Knicks fans, if you think Phil Jackson is leaving the beach life in So Cal to save you from this dysfunctional mess your are delusional.

— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) March 14, 2012"

Jerry Sloan

Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated named the former Utah Coach as a distinct possibility:

"

While retired Lakers and Bulls coach Phil Jackson has frequently been named as a possible successor to D'Antoni, sources close to retired Utah coach Jerry Sloan say he would be interested in the position. Sloan retired abruptly in February 2011, and was pursued by a number of teams during the summer before resisting the recruiting efforts. In an interview with SI.com in early January, he said he was considering a return.

"

Jeff Capellini of CBSNewYork.com likes this idea:

"

Now Jerry Sloan ... that's intriguing. Very intriguing. #Knicks

— Jeff Capellini (@GreenLanternJet) March 14, 2012"

Those are two big names, but they don't stop there. Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles suggested a few other names that will also likely be available on the coaching market:

"

Hot seat for coaches just got hotter with Phil Jackson, Jerry Sloan, Jeff Van Gundy, Mike D'Antoni and likely Nate McMillan being available.

— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) March 14, 2012"

Obviously, we can erase D'Antoni's name as a possibility, but Van Gundy and McMillan are certainly names that can't be discounted. 

Prior to D'Antoni's resignation, Moke Hamilton of Sheridan Hoops wrote that McMillan would be a strong possibility.

"Sadly, the sun seems to be setting on Mike D’Antoni’s tenure in New York, and Nate McMillan might make some sense as a potential replacement," Hamilton wrote.

He also added that McMillan would come with Carmelo Anthony's endorsement: "According to a source with intimate knowledge of Anthony’s thinking, he would endorse a move to hire McMillan."

Inside Hoops doesn't even think that the Knicks should wait:

"

NY should consider trying to hire Nate McMillan during halftime of Blazers at Knicks tonight.

— InsideHoops.com (@InsideHoops) March 14, 2012"

Lastly, we have John Calipari. Minutes after D'Antoni and the Knicks parted ways, Calipari took to Twitter, shooting down any potential rumors that may surface:

"

As I’ve said before, I have the greatest job in basketball at any level. Why would I be interested in another job?

"

"— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 14, 2012"

Immediately after that, Amick tweeted that the Knicks and Calipari had been tied to each other:

"

Was already hearing John Calipari rumblings for Knicks job, but he's coming out strong against idea on his Twitter account, @UKCoachCalipari

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) March 14, 2012"

There's no reason to disbelieve Calipari, but this is something to stay tuned to. 

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