The New York Knicks are expected to strongly consider hiring Ed Pinckney as an assistant coach on Tom Thibodeau's staff.

Pinckney spent five seasons with Thibodeau in Chicago before joining him briefly in Minnesota. Pinckney was let go by the Wolves after the 2018-19 season months after Thibodeau was fired.

Montrezl Harrell has yet to return to the Orlando bubble and is unlikely to suit up against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.

Harrell left the bubble due to a family emergency on July 17th.

It is not known when Harrell will return to Orlando.

Harrell has tested negative for COVID-19 each day he has been away from the bubble. 

Bam Adebayo is eligible for a contract extension this offseason as part of the 2017 draft class, but that is highly unlikely to happen due to the plans of the Miami Heat to preserve cap space for 2021. The Heat have interest in pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Victor Oladipo during the 2021 offseason.

"He's not going to get a max contract in the offseason," said Brian Windhorst on his podcast. "Even though I think he should, because the Heat are going to save money for the 2021 summer. That's a storyline that I can almost guarantee for you: Bam Adebayo will not sign a contract extension this offseason. 

"It will be, 'Bam, we'll take care of you later.'"

Adebayo's cap hold in 2021 will almost certainly be less than what he would receive as part of an extension. Adebayo would become a restricted free agent, which would allow the Heat to match any offer he receives.

Lou Williams will serve a 10 day quarantine for going to an Atlanta gentlemen's club during an excused absence from the Orlando bubble.

Williams is set to miss the Clippers opener against the Lakers on Thursday, and a Saturday game against the Pelicans.

Williams was photographed at Magic City by rapper Jack Harlow. Williams said he went there for dinner, and that there were no entertainers present.

Williams told investigators that he went to a viewing for a family friend that ended around 6 p.m., then went to Magic City for dinner afterwards. 

The New York Knicks are finalizing a five-year deal to make Tom Thibodeau the next head coach of the franchise, league sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

An agreement is expected in the near future.

Thibodeau was dismissed from the Wolves on January 6th, 2019.

Thibodeau was previously a client under current Knicks president Leon Rose at CAA. 

The NBA is reportedly working on a plan for the eight teams not in the Orlando bubble to restart practice and possibly hold group workouts, sources told Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer.

The proposal includes a week of practice at each team's home facility and two weeks of group workouts hosted by two teams not in Orlando. 

An announcement could come as early as next week.

A key hurdle is receiving approval from the players association, most importantly in approving scrimmages between teams. 

Union executive director Michele Roberts said last month that these activities would have to live up to the same health and safety standards as the Orlando bubble. 

Jason Kidd is reportedly the favorite for the New York Knicks coaching job, sources told Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.

The news comes after contract talks with Tom Thibodeau have allegedly stalled.

The Knicks would choose some of Kidd's assistant coaches should he be named head coach.

Bondy adds that discussions with Thibodeau aren't dead, but have hit a snag over contract length.

The Knicks could also retain Mike Miller in lieu of Thibodeau.

The New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets have monitored the potential availability of Zach LaVine.

Sources tell SNY that both the Knicks and Nets have done background work on LaVine in case the Chicago Bulls make him available. 

LaVine can become a free agent in 2022.

The New York Knicks are not currently negotiating with any of their coaching candidates, nor have they offered any candidate a contract, league sources told Ian Begley of SNY.

There is a strong likelihood that they will continue conversations with multiple candidates through next week.

“They’re still exploring their options," sources told SNY.

Tom Thibodeau is considered the favorite for the position. 

The New York Knicks will reportedly hire at least one head-coaching candidate as an assistant coach, league sources told Ian Begley of SNY.

Tom Thibodeau is currently the favorite to be hired as head coach.

There is also support for both Mike Miller and Mike Woodson to be added to the staff regardless of the coach. 

Kenny Atkinson and Jason Kidd also are said to have support from within the organization.