Report: Phil Jackson hopes to keep Kurt Rambis as head coach in 2016-17
Despite only holding the interim tag on his position as head coach, Kurt Rambis is not just a placeholder.
ESPN's Ian Begley reports that Knicks president Phil Jackson hired Rambis with the hope of keeping him on as the head coach for the 2016-17 season.
In order to secure the job, Rambis needs to show improvement with the Knicks. Jackson dismissed Derek Fisher in February following a 23-31 start, but the team has slipped to 3-7 under Rambis' watch.
The pressure to win, however, puts the Knicks in a bind. Rambis could opt to use the remainder of New York's lost season to develop their rookies in Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant, but dropping more games could see him replaced.
"I'm focusing on the win and I'd rather not take that gamble at this point," Rambis told Begley in regards to his intentions of trying Porzingis at a new position.
Granted, wins might be tough to come by regardless of Rambis' handling of New York's prospects. He boasts a lifetime coaching record of 59-152 across three stops in the NBA.
If he manages to turn the Knicks around, though, Jackson might fight to keep Rambis on for the long run.