The Knicks have made Lakers coaching candidate Kurt Rambis a four-year offer of roughly $1.2 million per year to be rookie coach Derek Fisher’s top assistant, according to an NBA source.
Rambis, a triangle guru and Lakers assistant last season, remains in the mix for the Lakers’ head-coaching vacancy and still is mulling a cross-country move to New York.
The offer is close to what was billed as the largest assistant’s contract in NBA history, given by the Cavaliers to Tyronn Lue, who signed a four-year, $6.4 million pact.
Rambis coached on Phil Jackson’s staff in both the Zen Master’s stints with the Lakers and used the triangle as head coach with the Timberwolves. Ironically, Carmelo Anthony is expected to be in Los Angeles on Thursday to meet with the Lakers, and would like to know who their coach may be.
Rambis was drafted by the Knicks in the second round in 1980 but was waived before playing a game.
Luke Walton, a Knicks assistant candidate, reportedly has been hired by Warriors coach Steve Kerr. Longtime Jackson assistant Jim Cleamons, a Bucks assistant, is now free to join the Knicks, too, following Jason Kidd’s hiring in Milwaukee. Bill Cartwright and Rick Fox have also spoken to Jackson about assistant positions.