Among the names floated has been St. John’s men’s basketball head coach Rick Pitino, who emerged as a possible candidate given his New York ties and previous stint as Knicks head coach from 1987-89.

The Knicks fired coach Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday after five seasons with the franchise. Thibodeau was fresh off a trip to the Eastern Conference finals, too, which is a place the Knicks hadn't been since 2000. By all accounts, Thibodeau’s time with the Knicks was a success. He just couldn’t get them over the hump and into the Finals.

Rick Pitino, St. John’s University coach, dismisses rumors of joining the New York Knicks. He supports Tom Thibodeau, the former Knicks coach. Thibodeau's firing followed the Knicks' Eastern Conference Finals appearance.