Knicks HC Rumors: David Fizdale Gaining 'Serious Traction' for Open Job

David Fizdale has reportedly "gained serious traction" as the favorite for the New York Knicks' vacant head coaching position, according to Yahoo Sports' Shams Charania.

Fizdale, 43, was fired as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies 19 games into his second year with the club. During his first season at the helm, Memphis went 43-39 and qualified for the playoffs as the Western Conference's No. 7 seed.

In addition to interviewing with the Knicks, Fizdale also reportedly spoke to the Phoenix Suns and Atlanta Hawks about their open gigs.

The longtime Miami Heat assistant was one of a handful of big names who sat down with Knicks brass during an exhaustive interview process.

According to NorthJersey.com's Chris Iseman, president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry spoke to 11 candidates: Fizdale, Golden State Warriors assistant coach Mike Brown, Mark Jackson, Mike Woodson, Jerry Stackhouse, David Blatt, Kenny Smith, James Borrego, Mike Budenholzer, Juwan Howard and Jay Larranaga.

If Fizdale is ultimately the Knicks' choice, he will be tasked with overhauling a club that floundered under Jeff Hornacek last season.

En route to a 29-53 finish, New York finished 20th in offensive rating (107.1) and 23rd in defensive rating (110.7).

He may also have to help the Knicks tread water without franchise forward Kristaps Porzingis, who faces the prospect of missing the entire 2018-19 campaign after suffering a torn ACL on Feb. 6, according to owner James Dolan.

"I've been told everything from December to him being out for the season, so I don't know what to expect on that," Dolan said, per the New York Post's Larry Brooks. "But we can't just sit on our ass while he's away. We need to develop a team and then integrate him into it when he comes back."

Stats courtesy of Basketball Reference.