Report: Knicks hire Fizdale as head coach

Former Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale has agreed to a deal to become head coach of the New York Knicks, according to a report from ESPN on Thursday.

Fizdale, 43, was New York's top target during its coaching search, according to the report. Other rumored candidates include Mark Jackson, David Blatt and longtime player Jerry Stackhouse. Fizdale went 50-51 with the Grizzlies before he was fired early this season after an apparent dispute with star center Marc Gasol.

According to the New York Times, the team will officially announce the hiring next week.

Fizdale led the Grizzlies to the playoffs in his one full season as coach.

Prior to coaching the Grizzlies, Fizdale had lengthy stints as an assistant coach for the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks. He got his start as an assistant for the Golden State Warriors in 2003-04.

The Knicks dismissed Jeff Hornacek in April after two losing seasons with the team.

The Phoenix Suns reportedly offered Fizdale a four-year deal, but he declined in order to join the Knicks. Phoenix instead hired Igor Kokoskov, a Utah Jazz assistant coach and Serbia native who will be the NBA's first coach who was raised outside of North America.

--Field Level Media