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 The era of Knicks president and general manager Donnie Walsh' finally came to an end Friday.
Knicks owner James Dolan told the media "Following a long series of discussions regarding his future role with the New York Knicks, Donnie Walsh and I have mutually agreed that he will be leaving his position at the end of June." Now the question is how will this effect Mike D'Antoni as the Knicks coach, as his contract also expires? As of now D'Antoni is no lock-in, as now there are many options to have a new coach and president combination. Kentucky's' coach Mike Calipari is certainly a candidate. Since Calipari has the same agent as Chris Paul who the Knicks will be eyeing in the 2012 offseason, and Carmelo Anthony it would be no surprise if he enters the Knicks organization. Former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy is an obvious option though it looks like he is happy with his current job and isn't going anywhere. Sources say Van Gundy has no chances of coming back to the NBA as a coach before the 2012-2013 season. If Mike D'Antoni stays with the Knicks as their coach Knicks could possibly bring in Toronto's coach Bryan Colangelo. Brian Colangelo goes back with D'Antoni in the Phoenix Suns organization. The Toronto Raptors are in the same situation as the Raptors announced Jay Triano will not return as the Raptors coach in the 2011-12 season. There aren't many other options besides those, but there are some small chances the Knicks have interest in Phil Jackson, or Mark Jackson, or Lawrence Frank, or even Rick Adelman. The Knicks can even bring back Isiah Thomas to the organization. Mike D'Antoni isn't even such a great piece in the Knicks organization as of now. D'Antoni as the Knicks coach post the trade involving Billups, and Anthony he did worse than before the trade. Though has D'Antoni been given a chance with them? The Knicks gave up a ton in that trade which makes the question very difficult to answer. James Dolan said of Walsh, "We thank Donnie for his leadership, hard work and many contributions to the revitalization of the team," as Walsh will now visit Indiana his hometown and the town of the Indiana Pacers where he worked 24 years, making the Pacers into contender. Walsh shouldn't be taken much blame that he left the organization. He fixed up the team a ton especially from the teams situation replacing Thomas. Walsh reportedly left the Knicks for contract reasons, and he felt that it would be much simpler for him to go back to Indiana with his wife and children.
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