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Report: Warriors wouldn’t stop Knicks from interviewing Luke Walton during playoffs

Golden State Warriors v Cleveland Cavaliers

CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 18: Interim Head coach Luke Walton of the Golden State Warriors during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on January 18, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

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It still remains to be seen whether the Knicks will conduct a formal coaching search. Phil Jackson has made it very clear that Kurt Rambis is his guy, and that any other interviews will be limited to people already close to him. That group includes Luke Walton, who has been linked to the Knicks, Lakers and Suns jobs recently after he led the Warriors to a 39-4 start to the season while Steve Kerr was out recovering from back surgery.

If Jackson wanted to talk to Walton about the job, the Warriors apparently wouldn’t object.

From Marc Berman of the New York Post:

If Knicks president Phil Jackson wanted to talk to Warriors stud assistant Luke Walton during their expected long playoff run, Golden State would not stand in the way, according to an NBA source.

Golden State’s position is that an assistant can interview for a head-coaching position “as long as it does not interfere with the team’s preparation during the playoffs,’’ the source said. For instance, an interview would need to happen in the Oakland, Calif., area at a convenient time with the club enjoying a couple of days off.

This position is consistent for the Warriors. During last year’s playoffs, they granted the Pelicans permission to interview assistant coach Alvin Gentry for their head coaching job, which he eventually won. The Hawks also hired Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer during San Antonio’s 2013 Finals run. It’s not an uncommon practice. It’ just not known whether Jackson will talk to Walton or just decide to keep Rambis.