New York Knicks: Five potential replacements for David Fizdale

2. Becky Hammon

If the New York Knicks want to be groundbreaking, they can make the move no one else has: hire Becky Hammon as the head coach. It has nothing to do with making history, though.

Hired in 2014, Hammon joined Popovich’s bench in San Antonio as an assistant coach shortly after the team won the title. She took 13 years of WNBA playing experience to the NBA bench and never missed a bit in five-plus years.

As other assistants departed for jobs, Hammon’s role increased to the point of being a top Popovich confidant in 2018, when James Borrego became the Charlotte Hornets head coach. She also became enough of a high-profile name to interview for the Milwaukee Bucks job, before Mike Budenholzer assumed the role for the 2018-19 season.

Interestingly, Hammon did not take over as head coach when Popovich was ejected from a game earlier this season. Perhaps it meant nothing, but Tim Duncan was made the acting head coach instead. Is she ready for a bigger role, or did the Spurs not want to make an extra headline for one night?

As New York’s potential head coach, Hammon brings a different presence to the Knicks. They need someone from outside the organization with new ideas. That comes with a new regime, as well, pending they survive what will probably be a disastrous end to an already catastrophic season. Either way, she should be considered a candidate.