The Knicks’ coaching search remains ongoing, should be wrapped up by the end of next week

Despite rumors to the contrary, the Knicks have reportedly not offered any coaches a contract yet and are continuing the search through next week, although the franchise still hopes to wrap things up before the end of July.

That comes from new reports from Newsday’s Steve Popper and SNY’s Ian Begley. The latest dish on the Knicks’ coaching search is that no one has been offered a contract yet — not even supposed front-runner Tom Thibodeau. Interviews and internal discussions are expected to continue next week, and the Knicks still intend to find a new coach before the season officially resumes in the Disney World bubble on Thursday, July 30.

Previously, we’ve been told that the job was essentially Thibs’ to accept or decline, but then the other day the Knicks reportedly brought back Kenny Atkinson for another interview. Was it his second interview? Third interview? We’re not quite sure!

There has been speculation that the Knicks will try to wrangle both a head coach and associate head coach out of this search. Some have smartly noted that it wouldn’t be ridiculous for Atkinson to agree to an associate head coaching position at this point; he could help the Knicks develop their young talent under Thibs (or Jason Kidd, or Mike Woodson, or whoever gets the job out of roughly 11 candidates), and then next summer make a clean break for an actual head coaching position elsewhere. Could be cool, could lead to infighting among the coaching staff.

The only thing we really know at this point is that the countdown is officially on. Of course, that countdown could be extended if the Knicks decide next week they aren’t ready to make a decision. So we don’t really know anything. Well, we know they’ve interviewed a ton of people.

Hopefully while we wait, there will be some fresh Frank Ntilikina highlights to enjoy from the French summer league he’s planning to play in.