Despite Phil Jackson’s hopes, Nuggets president Josh Kroenke said he’s not letting Brian Shaw go anywhere.
“Brian has said publicly — and privately to us — that his desire is to be here and we feel strongly about him as our coach,’’ Nuggets president Josh Kroenke told Yahoo! Sports Thursday night. “I don’t foresee a scenario or circumstance where he’s going to be anywhere but with the Nuggets next season.’’
Despite his public stance, Shaw would at least be interested in listening to Phil Jackson’s pitch if the Nuggets gave permission, according to a source. But it doesn’t appear Kroenke would let it get that far.
Derek Fisher remains the odds-on favorite to become the next Knicks coach, but that’s only because of circumstance. Jackson prefers Shaw over Fisher, but Shaw is under contract for another two years. The Knicks couldn’t even steal Shaw from Denver without compensation — a draft pick or money.
“This really isn’t about what Brian wants, this would be between Denver and the Knicks,’’ the source said.
Shaw repeatedly has said he is “happy’’ in Denver and his move to the Knicks is “speculation.’’ Shaw is being paid just $2 million per year. Jackson easily can double that. The Knicks’ last offer to Steve Kerr was for $4.4 million per for four years.
With Oklahoma City getting routed in the first two games of its Western Conference finals series against San Antonio, the Knicks coaching search could end sooner than later.
There’s a possibility Fisher’s undermanned Thunder are going to get swept. Game 3 is Sunday with Game 4 Tuesday. Fisher said this week he doesn’t want to speak to Jackson regarding the Knicks job until after his season is over. The Thunder still would need to give the Knicks permission to speak to Fisher.
The retiring Fisher also could consider the Lakers for either their coaching job or a front-office position as he’s close to Kobe Bryant.
“That’s what’s trending,’’ former Nets coach Avery Johnson said on an ESPN conference call Thursday regarding coaches without experience. “In the Knicks case, it’s whomever Phil feels the most comfortable with that can bring in basically the type of program he wants implemented without him actually coaching.”
In Shaw’s first season as a head coach, he failed to guide the Nuggets to the playoffs, posting a 36-46 record amid rumblings players weren’t happy with his coaching style. Nevertheless, the Nuggets were injury ravaged with six rotation players each missing at least 13 games. Danilo Gallinari, a former Knick, missed the season.
“He did a good job with all the injuries,’’ a Denver source said.