The Knicks have no issues with Steve Kerr finishing out his TNT playoff responsibilities before joining the franchise as their full-time head coach.
The Post reported in Friday’s editions Kerr has decided to finish out his TNT playoff schedule, doing the Western Conference finals with Marv Albert. That series won’t end until late May/early June.
Kerr has yet to agree to terms with the Knicks but multiple sources told The Post they are the clear front-runner, with Golden State still his fallback choice if Knick negotiations break down.
Regarding his decision to stick with TNT to the bitter end, Kerr stated in an email: “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 resolution won’t come until next week, according to an NBA source. Kerr has been back home in San Diego since Thursday, finalizing the decision with his family, but Phil Jackson is not there with him. Kerr has spoken to the Warriors, but Kerr believes the opportunity to work with Jackson in New York is too good to pass up and only would take the Warriors position if things don’t work out contractually with the Knicks, according to a source.
It has been reported there also is a split among the Warriors’ family, with some players preferring top candidate Stan Van Gundy.
Kerr and Albert, TNT’s top team, aren’t scheduled until Tuesday’s Game 5 in Oklahoma City, so a decision could come Monday.
Next week’s Chicago pre-draft combine normally is attended by the head coach, but the Knicks don’t have a draft pick in either round. Kerr’s access as TNT broadcaster actually could bring him closer to the game than if he was back in Tarrytown. Jackson had said he didn’t feel a great need to have a full-time coach on hand until the Las Vegas summer league in early July.
Sources have said formal contract details have to be worked out, likely causing the delay. A resolution had been expected by Friday.
Kerr’s agent is Mike Tannenbaum, the former Jets general manager. It is believed Tannenbaum is seeking a five-year deal for Kerr, the same length as Jackson’s.
It is also believed Kerr is seeking a similar financial deal as Mike D’Antoni had when he inked a four-year, $24 million pact with the Knicks in 2008. Jackson and owner James Dolan might have to overpay to get Kerr to move across the country.
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.
“Mike’s a smart guy, but he’s on the other side of the table now,’’ one NFL agent who negotiated several deals with Tannenbaum. “When he was management, it was purely economical. Now there are non-economic factors.’’
Kerr also will have to sell his small piece of the Suns. An NBA spokesman said he would get “a reasonable’’ amount of time to do so after becoming a head coach.