New York Post

Sumer camp for next coach?

- By ZACH BRAZILLER

We may not have seen the last of this year’s Knicks after all. There is a chance they could be back in some form.

Although the Knicks are unlikely to be part of the postponed season’s restart in Orlando, Fla., there is dialogue that the teams not involved in the playoffs may still return to the court, according to ESPN.

That would enable said teams to remain somewhat relevant in their respective markets, go through a mandatory training camp this summer and take part in regional fall leagues of four-to-five teams, so they wouldn’t go from March to December — when next season could start — without playing games. There is the belief the NBA will offer such a plan to the players associatio­n, ESPN reported, after shutting down the season on March 11 due to the coronaviru­s pandemic.

“The message was something bigger, reminding people that some teams can’t just reopen the doors in nine or 10 months and so easily sell tickets or a sponsorshi­p without having played basketball for that long,” an Eastern Conference official said.

With the date of the draft still uncertain and it still being unclear when free agency will be held, it is unknown how these summer rosters would be formulated. As for the Knicks in particular, it could be an opportunit­y for its new coach to get to know the roster, with new president Leon Rose expected to replace interim coach Mike Miller. Tom Thibodeau is considered the frontrunne­r.

A source told The Post there is expected to be more clarity for everyone after Thursday’s Board of Governors vote, when approval of a 22-team restart plan is expected. Three-fourths of the league has to approve the plan for it to pass, but the belief is that will not be an issue.

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