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New York Knicks Rumors: Scott Brooks The Key To Landing Kevin Durant?

By Kenneth Teape

Dec 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks talks with forward Kevin Durant (35) against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Thunder 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks talks with forward Kevin Durant (35) against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Thunder 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks Rumors: The Knicks are a long shot to land Kevin Durant in free agency, but could hiring his former coach in Scott Brooks improve their chances?

The New York Knicks have a pivotal offseason coming up this summer. Free agency will be very important, as the Knicks do not have their first round draft pick so the only way to really add talent this summer will be signing free agents. The golden goose of this free agent class is Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant.

It will take some roster magic for the Knicks to get into the running for Durant, as they currently are not projected to have enough salary cap space to offer him a max contract. That will be the first order of business if Phil Jackson and the Knicks want to seriously get into the Durant sweepstakes. What could be nearly as important as the money situation is the head coaching hire.

With Derek Fisher being relieved of his duties Monday, it was widely thought that the Knicks may have delivered a blow to their chances of landing Durant. Durant was a fan of Fisher’s, and his standing as the Knicks’ head coach would have played a factor in his decision. But, he is no longer the head coach for the team, but that does not necessarily mean that the Knicks are out of the running.

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What if they hired Durant’s former head coach with the Thunder and for Knicks’ guard, Scott Brooks? If Jackson opens up the coaching search beyond his own coaching tree of Triangle Offense disciples, Brooks could be atop the list.

According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Brooks should be a legitimate candidate for the Knicks job because he could have a positive impact on the Durant chase this summer.

"Brooks is a name to think about, for one reason: The Knicks have been informed that their chances of landing Kevin Durant this summer would be influenced by hiring Brooks, according to league sources. New York faces long odds to land Durant to begin with. And their chances took a hit after Derek Fisher was fired, league sources say. As noted here previously, Fisher was going to be a factor in Durant’s free agency this summer. But hiring Brooks could get Durant’s attention."

While Brooks could help the Knicks land Durant this summer, he also brings with him success as a head coach. He had a record of 338-207 with the Thunder, going 39-34 in the playoffs, as he led the Thunder there for five consecutive season. That kind of success has not been seen in New York in a long time, so it would definitely be a welcomed change.

The only problem for Brooks, like many of the candidates, is that Jackson does not have a prior relationship with him, and he does not run the Triangle Offense. Both are going to be big factors in who Jackson’s decides to bring on board as the next head coach of the team.

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For the Knicks to take the next step, Jackson may have to step outside his circle and get a new voice to lead the team. There are a number of strong candidates available for the job such as Brooks that do not have ties to Jackson but may be better suited to get the Knicks to the level that everyone is hoping they can reach.

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