Knicks general manager Steve Mills spoke to the agent of former Pacers coach Frank Vogel, a league source confirmed.
Vogel became a free agent Thursday when Pacers president Larry Bird announced he would not be renewing his contract. Vogel guided Indiana to a 250-181 record and reached the Eastern Conference finals twice in parts of six seasons with the Pacers.
Mills made the call while team president Phil Jackson was away on vacation. Vogel doesn’t run the triangle offense, which is Jackson’s system of choice. It is not clear whether the Knicks will interview Vogel.
Jackson has said he would interview “only people I probably know” and someone he has “compatibility with what I do as a leader.” That’s why interim coach Kurt Rambis remains a strong candidate to get the job.
One of the reasons Bird didn’t bring back Vogel, he said, was because he wanted the Pacers to score more.
Knicks All-Star Carmelo Anthony has said repeatedly he would like Jackson to conduct an open coaching search. Jackson has met with former Cavaliers coach David Blatt and spoke with his former player Luke Walton, who ended up taking the Lakers’ job.
Vogel served as an advance scout with the Lakers when Jackson coached there. Vogel is expected to be a leading candidate for the Rockets’ job.
..... - Newsday