Here's our weekly Knicks mailbag with SNY's NBA Insider Ian Begley...

@E_Rodriguez_24 Chances of D-Book in a Knicks jersey

@TylderCo1982 Knicks chance at Devin Booker

@NYKnicksBR What do you think about D-Book-Knicks thing

This became a topic of conversation over the weekend when the New York Post wrote, in a reader mailbag, that the player to “watch out for most” regarding a potential Knicks trade is Phoenix’s Devin Booker. The connection between Booker and the Knicks is clear: Leon Rose, New York’s president, used to be Booker’s agent at Creative Artists Agency. William “World Wide Wes” Wesley also has a relationship with Booker. Wesley is the Knicks’ executive vice president and a senior advisor to Rose.

But is a trade for Booker realistic? I asked one opposing executive for their thoughts and they sent back a straightforward reply: “LOL”

The reason that this is such a long shot? Booker is under contract for the next four seasons. The closer a player gets to the final year of his contract, the more leverage he has to force a trade. Let’s assume that Booker wants to leave Phoenix and get moved to New York. Because he has four years remaining on his deal, there doesn’t appear to be much Booker can do to force Phoenix to make a trade.

Could the Knicks make the Suns an intriguing offer for Booker? Maybe. But they’d have to sacrifice a significant amount of first-round picks and, you’d think, either RJ Barrett or Mitchell Robinson in the process.

If New York wanted to wait for Booker to get closer to the end of his deal, Phoenix would lose some leverage.

But it’s foolish to operate on the assumption that Phoenix is willing to move Booker for anything less than a monumental trade package at the moment.

All of this assumes, of course, that Booker would demand a trade from the Suns. No one knows whether Booker would take that type of stance – either publicly or privately. It’s worth noting that Trevor Trout of EliteMediaGroup recently wrote that Booker’s father, Melvin Booker, is tired of watching Devin Booker lose in Phoenix.

@Kickzjilla When do you see them announce the coaching hire? Has the interviews concluded?

@Markschwartzacc Any update on the coaching search? Anyone other than Thibs gaining ground?

@Bengalaxy2997 Any updates on the Knicks coaching search

The Knicks conducted brief introductory interviews with candidates last month and are conducting some second-round interviews this week, per SNY sources. It’s unclear when they will make a final decision, but they want to do so before the NBA resumes regular season games in Orlando at the end of the month. We’ve previously reported that coaches and agents with a vested interest in the coaching search believe Tom Thibodeau is the most likely hire. There is also legitimate support in the organization for Kenny Atkinson. Atkinson and Thibodeau are among the 11 coaches who are known to have interviewed with the Knicks. Rose, Wesley, Brock Aller, the vice president of basketball and strategic planning, and GM Scott Perry are among the members of the organization involved in interviews, per an SNY source.

@aayooPierre Do you think the Knicks are still interested in bringing back Marcus Morris in free agency?

Before Rose was hired, the Knicks planned to re-sign Morris this summer. Many people who were in the organization at the time still remain in place. So I think it’s safe to assume that those people remain interested in signing Morris this summer if the deal makes sense for New York. Do Rose, Wesley and Aller share that interest in Morris? That’s unclear. But the Knicks, generally, loved how Morris handled playing in New York and the way he led throughout his brief tenure. If Morris doesn’t overlap with other Knicks targets this summer, I can see them having interest in pursuing him in free agency.

@Mlilien7 Joe Harris is staying with the Nets, right?

I think so. Nets owner Joe Tsai, by all accounts, is open to spending what it takes to field a title contender. Harris is an integral part of that equation for Brooklyn. If you let him walk, it will be tough to find a way to replace his value to Brooklyn’s program. So I’d expect the Nets to do whatever it takes to re-sign Harris.

QUICK HITTERS

@royalteerell516 How much cap space do the knicks have? Do they have enough to land an asset like Lillard or Davis? Or to move up in the draft?

They could have around $60 million in cap space, depending on what they decide on the contract options they have for several players next season. The only way they can use cap space to land Anthony Davis is if he opts out of his contract this summer and decides to leave the Lakers. They could use the cap space in a trade to land Lillard, but it would also take a significant amount of picks and players in such a trade package. They’d likely have to move one of their young players or future picks to move up in the draft.

@The_Cooler If the Nets lose out in Orlando, they will keep their lottery pick. If by some miracle, they get the number one pick, do they draft LaMelo Ball or trade the pick?

Great question. If I had to guess, I’d think that they move the pick in an effort to add a proven player to complement Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

@DeePee30 Because of his relationship with Dolan, will World Wide Wes be an influence in terms of the Knicks decision making

I think Wesley will have a significant influence with the Knicks because of his relationship with Rose. Sure, his relationship with Dolan was a factor in him taking the job. But I don’t see that as a significant factor in the amount of influence Wesley will have on the Knicks in his current position.

Thanks for your questions, everyone. Much appreciated. If I didn't answer your question here or in a video, I will try my best to get to it in a future mailbag or video.

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