LUKE TO KNICKS: NOT RIGHT NOW:
Walton says no to Knicks — for now
LUKE WALTON’S long-awaited answer to Phil Jackson was thanks, but no thanks – at least for now.
According to sources, Jackson reached out to the Golden State assistant in a phone conversation recently, following through on his pledge to only speak to those in his circle — or is it triangle? — about their interest in coaching the Knicks. However, the Daily News learned that Walton told his former Lakers coach he wasn’t currently interested in the job.
It’s unclear if the two sides will talk again.
Whether or not this is an earnest effort from Jackson to find a replacement for his buddy Kurt Rambis is also unknown, but either way plucking Walton from the best team in the NBA was always viewed as a longshot.
Walton, who guided the Warriors to a 39-4 record while serving as an interim head coach this season, had already turned down an opportunity to join the Knicks staff under Derek Fisher. A job in the organization has only become less appealing with the team going 49-115 over the last two seasons. Walton has been advised by others from Golden State to avoid the Knicks. His famous father, Bill Walton, is on the record saying Luke shouldn’t relocate.
Of course, there’s always the type of Jim Dolan money that’s tough to turn down.
“I tell him, ‘Money can’t buy what you have,’ ” Bill Walton said recently. “Head-coaching jobs, they’re open for a reason. Those reasons don’t exist in Golden State.”
Walton, 36, won two championships under Jackson with the Lakers while running the triangle. However, the defending-champion Warriors use a different system and have been historically successful this season with a record 73 wins. Jackson reiterated last week that he will continue to use his offensive system in New York and will only interview candidates with whom he holds a personal relationship.