Knicks News and Rumors 2014: Phil Jackson Eyeing Brian Shaw as Next Head Coach?

Phil Jackson is expected to finalize a deal with the New York Knicks anytime now that would give him full control of the team's front office, and according to reports, finding a new coach will be his first order of business.

The NY Post reported that Jackson, an 11-time champion coach during his stints with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, is planning to hire a coach who is familiar with the triangle offense.

Previous reports indicated that former Phoenix Suns general manager Steve Kerr, who played under Jackson with the Bulls from 1996 to 1998, could be a strong candidate for the coaching post. But according to the Post, Kerr isn't Jackson's only target. Current Denver Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw could be on Jackson's list as well. The first-year Nuggets coach played under Jackson with the Lakers and was also one of Jackson's deputies during his final seasons in Los Angeles.

Shaw is only in the first year of his four-year coaching contract with the Nuggets, but reports indicate that the rookie coach has already lost the locker room, which could led to his eventual firing after the current season.

The Nuggets are currently in 11th place in the Western Conference standings with their 28-36 record and are 10 games behind the eighth-seeded Dallas Mavericks. The Nuggets are on pace to miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2002-03 season.

Jim Cleamons, another former Jackson assistant, and former Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan are also reportedly on Jackson's list of head-coaching candidates.

Mike Woodson Hoping for Another Chance

Meanwhile, current Knicks head coach Mike Woodson is not giving up yet as he is still reportedly hoping that Jackson will allow him to continue coaching the team.

Woodson, whose contract runs until after the 2014-15 NBA season, said that he is looking forward to sitting down with Jackson once the legendary coach assumes his front office role with the Knicks, possibly as soon as next week.

"I would want him to view me as a coach," Woodson said. "If and when that time comes, I would just love the chance to sit with him and talk basketball. He's a basketball guy, I'm a basketball guy. This is 30 years I've spent in this league, so that's what we'll do."