Mark Jackson's name is found on just about any list of potential Knicks head coaching candidates, and the former Golden State coach reiterated on Wednesday his desire to get back on an NBA bench.
Appearing as a guest on ESPN's First Take, Jackson, who led Golden State to a 121-109 regular season record in three seasons, which included two trips to the playoffs, said he looks forward to the challenge of leading a team in the future.
"There are 30 NBA jobs. I don't minimize myself to one. I look forward to one day coaching again, it's a dream of mine," Jackson said. "I had an incredible time in Golden State coaching for three years, developing incredible relationships, and having some success. And I look forward to the challenge of doing it once again somewhere."
The Knicks are currently led by interim head coach Mike Miller, who took over once David Fizdale was fired in December. The Knicks have shown some improvement under Miller, but the jury is likely still out on whether or not the team's front office believes he is the right man for the head coaching job moving forward.
"The interesting thing with Mark Jackson is he's one of those polarizing figures -- at least in the small sample size that is people on Twitter," SNY's Ian Begley has said. "... I haven't heard his name mentioned as a strong candidate. That doesn't necessarily mean that he isn't a top candidate for the job.
"I would assume that he would have interest in the job if the Knicks came to him."
After a 4-18 start under Fizdale, the Knicks record stood at 21-45 before the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Knicks ranked 12th out of the 15 teams in the East, and were just a game and a half ahead of the last place Cavaliers in the standings.
Jackson, of course, played seven seasons with the Knicks during the late '80s and early '90s, and then again in 2001-02. As a Knick, Jackson averaged 11.1 points, 8.0 assists, and 4.0 rebounds. He made his only All-Star appearance as a Knick in 1988-89.
Though he hasn't coached in the NBA since the 2013-14 season, he certainly has the will to lead a team once again, and he also knows how to handle the pressures of the New York media market, which could make him an intriguing candidate for the Knicks' job.