Report: Even if he’s not the coach, expect Kurt Rambis to stay with Knicks in some role

Kurt Rambis isn’t going anywhere.

He’s a Knick.

Well, at least as long as Phil Jackson is a Knick. Rambis is currently the interim head coach of the Knicks and the frontrunner to keep that job for next season. But if Jackson decides to go a different direction with his coach, Rambis isn’t leaving the organization, reports Marc Berman of the New York Post.

Whether Kurt Rambis is Knicks head coach for the last time Tuesday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse hasn’t been determined. What has been determined is Rambis will return in some capacity next season — whether as offensive coordinator or assistant general manager, according to sources. That’s part of the reason Rambis talks about the Knicks’ future as if he’s definitely part of it.

Berman goes on to say the candidacy of David Blatt as head coach is a “long shot.”

The Knicks were better this season. As John Schuhmann at NBA.com pointed out, no team saw a bigger improvement in net rating this season (point differential per 100 possessions) than the Knicks at +7.4. But that was still not enough to get them near the playoffs. This was — and still is — a team with a long way to go.

This summer and Phil Jackson’s moves will go a long way in determining if and when they get back to the playoffs, and maybe beyond that someday back to contention. He nailed the Kristaps Porzingis pick last summer, but this summer he needs to build on that through free agency and trades.

And also nailing the head coaching choice.

Whatever happens at Madison Square Garden, just know Kurt Rambis will be a part of it.