Knicks Will Hire Nelson, Papers Say

Don Nelson, who left as coach and general manager of the Golden State Warriors this year, will be the next coach of the New York Knicks, two newspapers reported Sunday.

The New York Times and Sunday Boston Globe said that a deal has virtually been completed, and an announcement would be made this week, possibly Thursday.

A Knicks spokesman said Sunday no announcement was imminent.

If a multiyear contract is agreed upon, Nelson reportedly will receive $2 million per year, the Times said. The new coach will replace Pat Riley, who resigned after last season.

The 55-year-old Nelson, who also has coached the Milwaukee Bucks, resigned from the Warriors in February with the team’s record at 14-34.

Before his departure, Nelson had become embroiled in bitter feuds with some of his players, then suffered from viral pneumonia.

Now, Nelson appears eager to get back into coaching.

“I’m interested,” he was quoted as saying by the Times.

In 17 1/2 seasons as a coach, his record is 815-604, making him the sixth-winningest coach in NBA history. Three times, he has been chosen the NBA’s Coach of the Year.

New York general manager Ernie Grunfeld apparently chose Nelson over former Boston coach Chris Ford, even though, according to the Globe, team president Dave Checketts was not a fan of Nelson.