TNT NBA analyst Steve Kerr is "inching closer to finalizing a deal" to become the new head coach of the Knicks, according to a source cited by Frank Isola of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. The two sides are "optimistic that a deal would be in place early this week," and the plan is to have Kerr accompany Knicks President Phil Jackson to Chicago for the NBA draft combine that begins Thursday. Kerr has been Jackson’s "one and only choice since Jackson agreed to run the Knicks two months ago" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/12). Also in N.Y., Marc Berman reported the Knicks have "no issues" with Kerr "finishing out his TNT playoff responsibilities before joining the franchise." Kerr in an e-mail wrote of his decision to finish his duties with TNT, "It’s the right thing to do, and I want to do it. I am under contract to do so, and I will finish up my work before moving on." A source said that a "resolution won't come until next week." Kerr's agent is former NFL Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, who is "seeking a five-year deal for Kerr." This is Tannenbaum’s "first high-profile coaching negotiation since he left the NFL for the Bartelstein agency." Tannenbaum was "known as a hard-nosed negotiator in the NFL, and it is believed he is using the Warriors’ interest to get Kerr a better deal." Kerr if he agrees to a deal with the Knicks will "have to sell his small piece of the Suns" (N.Y. POST, 5/10).
WARRIOR DASH: ESPN.com's Stein & Begley cited sources as saying that the Warriors are "increasingly pessimistic" about their chances of convincing Kerr to turn down the Knicks. Sources said that the Warriors "fear Kerr is 'too deep' in talks with the Knicks." Sources said that former Magic coach Stan Van Gundy is "actually the closest thing to a top target at this early stage" (ESPN.com, 5/10).
MIC DROP: In Denver, Dusty Saunders writes NBA fans could be "deprived of Kerr's broadcasting talent next season" if he accepts a coaching position. Kerr "proved in April that he's a man for two seasons" when he teamed with Greg Anthony and Jim Nantz to call the Final Four. Putting three "talking talents together on broadcast row can produce a dribbling verbal disaster," but the trio "provided a smooth, informative broadcast." Kerr during NBA coverage "shouts only when he has to rise above the arena's crowd noise" (DENVER POST, 5/12).
