Suns' D'Antoni Agrees In Principle To Coach Knicks Next Season

New York, NY (AHN) - Mike D'Antoni and the New York Knicks have reportedly agreed to a four year, $24 million contract that will bring the former coach of the year from Phoenix to the Big Apple.

The Knicks, fresh from one of their worst seasons in team history, said on Saturday that the deal is yet to be finalized although they said the Suns mentor had already agreed in principle. The team added that a press conference would be held as soon as the contract is officially signed.

D'Antoni was also being considered to head coaching duties at Chicago, another team with a coaching vacancy. But after being given the go-signal to talk to other teams, the 57-year-old coach has decided to bite the bullet with the Knicks, whose management has just been overhauled following another disappointing season.

New York has enlisted Donnie Walsh as its new president and coach Isiah Thomas was removed from his post nearly a month ago. Walsh's coaching search ends with D'Antoni, who has transformed Phoenix into a run-and-gun team anchored by two-time MVP Steve Nash.

In the Knicks, D'Antoni will inherit a team with on- and off-court problems, plus a slew of injured players who missed time for parts of last season. Unless the organization also overhauls its lineup to suit D'Antoni's razzle-dazzle style of play, the Knicks will still have Stephon Marbury, Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph, plus Jamal Crawford, Quentin Richardson and young players David Lee and Nate Robinson.

The Suns lost for the third time in the postseason against the San Antonio Spurs, most recently via a 4-1 defeat in the first round. They have never made it past the conference finals with D'Antoni at the helm, and the coach's future again became the subject of speculation.

"We appreciate all of Mike's efforts and contributions these past five years and wish him well in his next challenge," the Associated Press quoted Suns president and general manager Steve Kerr as saying in a statement. "We will now be methodical in the process of finding our next head coach and we're excited about the potential candidates."

D'Antoni helped the Suns win three straight Pacific Division titles, including a franchise-record 62 wins in the 2004-05 season. Over his six years as coach in the NBA, D'Antoni has compiled a 267-172 record.