NBA Rumors: Knicks Considering Coaching Thrust Behind 1998-99 Finals Run

The NBA trade deadline may be over but the New York Knicks are far from taking shape. They made only one trade, dealing away this season's best player in Marcus Morris. In return, they did get Maurice Harkless, a 2020 first-round pick. They also gained the right to swap picks in 2021 and a 2021 second-round pick via the Detroit Pistons.

Aside from Harkless, all the assets the Knicks got seemed to be aligned with their original youth movement plans. In fact, Harkless may not be with the team for long with reports he could be bought out. However, it remains that the team still has no designated head coach. Mike Miller has been calling the shots on an interim basis but a new head coach is expected to be named soon.

According to the New York Post, there are two names being considered in the Knicks next head coach wish list. Curiously, they are names that have at one time been part of the team's coaching staff. They are Jeff Van Gundy and Tom Thibodeau.

Of the two, Van Gundy had the chance to call the shots for the Knicks. This was from 1996-2001. Compared to their performance, there is a big disparity. In fact, Van Gundy was calling the shots for the Knicks when they reached the NBA Finals during the 1998-99 season. They bowed to the San Antonio Spurs 4-1.

Making that season special for Van Gundy and the Knicks is that they finished as the eighth-seeded team in the NBA playoffs that year. They overcame the Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks and the Indiana Pacers to reach the NBA Finals. Could this be a reason why Van Gundy is in the running?

Thibodeau, on the other hand, is a curious choice. He was an assistant coach from 1996-2004 and was part of that last NBA Finals feat. He could be another option in case Van Gundy and the Knicks fail to come to terms. Even if the 58-year-old agrees, there is a big chance that he would invite Thibodeau (and possibly Miller) to be part of his coaching staff. The question is will Thibs be open to the idea of being an assistant once more?

The Knicks are well on their way to another disastrous season. They tote a 17-37 win-loss record in the NBA Eastern Conference and have remote chances of making the playoffs. There will be more personnel changes to expect in the offseason. But the coaching thrust needs to be named first to steer the Knicks in the proper direction once more.