Knicks president Phil Jackson is playing it cautious with his chances of landing coaching candidate Derek Fisher, especially with his revelation Friday Steve Kerr had reneged on a verbal “commitment’’ to coach the team.
During his meeting with the team’s beat writers, Jackson confirmed Fisher is high on his list. Fisher’s season could end Saturday night in Oklahoma City, where the Thunder will play the Spurs, who they trail, 3-2 in the Western Conference finals.
“The last two summers, Derek and I have talked about the next step in his career and he’s gone back to playing,’’ Jackson said. “I kind of know what he wants to do and his feelings. He’s got a family in L.A. He’s got little kids in L.A. I have no idea if he wants to move his family and come here. There’s so many unknowns. He’s definitely a person on my list who could be a very good candidate for this job.”
Ironically, roughly six years ago, Fisher had to bring his daughter, Tatum, to New York for repeated doctors visits as she battled a rare eye disease. The Lakers are considered the Knicks’ chief rivals for the services of Fisher, who could decide to sit out a year.
“He was a lead guard who has a vision and real good concept of the game and liked doing the drill and skill work necessary to hold guys to promises of execution,’’ Jackson said.
Jackson mentioned only Fisher and Nuggets coach Brian Shaw by name. Jackson prefers Shaw over Fisher, but admits he now is resigned to the notion he can’t get his former player and assistant coach.
“I saw [Denver President Josh] Kroenke made a statement they’re not willing to let Brian Shaw go — I respect that,” Jackson said. “It’s intrusive to approach another organization to ask for their coach. If you’re asking to speak to an assistant coach or moving up from scout to personnel director, organizations respect that. I would feel badly for someone to ask to speak to my coach.”
Jackson added the Knicks have given up enough compensation to Denver in the past — noting their 2014 first-round pick from the Carmelo Anthony trade.
Jackson said he still feels he’s not physically able to coach, despite recent suggestions from the organization to try it one year.
“Unless the Lord heals in me in the next week or two, I wouldn’t see myself being physically prepared to take on the grind of coaching a basketball team right now,” Jackson said.
Jackson said he got a “ commitment’’ from Kerr, indicating contracts were being drawn up.
Jackson still acknowledged Kerr ultimately made the right choice, though it has left Jackson in the lurch.
“For Steve, his family is really important,’’ Jackson said. “Unfortunately for him, he committed to me the day before the job opened with Golden State. I had to kind of release him to go to this job. You have to do what’s right for yourself. I understand entirely. We’re happy for him.’’
Jackson spoke in generalities on the timing of Kerr backing out. Kerr initially rebuffed the Warriors on their attempt to interview him, according to Golden State GM Bob Meyers, because they told Kerr it could be a protracted search. But once Golden State was rebuffed by Stan Van Gundy, the Warriors went back to Kerr and made him a formal offer. An NBA source told The Post the final offer he accepted was for five years and $22 million. The Knicks’ initial offer was for three years and $13.2 million — the same $4.4 million per year.
Jackson said the amount of their initial offer wasn’t a factor in Kerr’s decision.
“There’s plenty of things in the contract that if he came, he would’ve been very satisfied,’’ Jackson said. “That wasn’t the issue.’’
Jackson admitted a conversation with Kerr a year ago came back to haunt him. Kerr admitted Golden State would be the perfect spot to install the triangle because of its shooters and passing big men.
“To be perfectly honest with you, it’s a better job for him,’’ Jackson said.
Jackson, who won 11 titles coaching the Bulls and Lakers, said he still would like to hire a coach he’s familiar with from his past. That means Mark Jackson is probably not a highly regarded candidate. Jackson also has interviewed Mike Dunleavy.
“I have a big circle,’’ Jackson said. “I like to have a prior relationship with a coach. We’ve gone through some kind of issues together. We’ve dealt with battle situations. We’ve had conflicts and disagreements and know how to work things out.’’