Report: Top Kentucky assistant weighing an offer to join the New York Knicks' organization
Kenny Payne has been an assistant at Kentucky for a decade now under head coach John Calipari. He came to Lexington in 2010 and has been on Cal’s staff ever since.
However, the Wildcats could potentially have to find a new associate head coach if Payne makes the jump to the NBA this offseason.
Per Jeff Goodman of Stadium, the New York Knicks have extended an offer to Payne and he is considering it:
Kentucky associate head coach Kenny Payne is weighing an offer to join the New York Knicks organization, source told @Stadium. Payne has strong ties to new Knicks executive William Wesley and also Leon Rose.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) August 8, 2020
Payne played at Louisville and was a Round 1 pick in the 1989 NBA Draft, going to the Philadelphia 76ers. He played for the Sixers from 1989 to 1993.
It’s still possible he remains in Lexington, of course, and it’s safe to say Coach Cal would be thrilled to have him back on the bench in 2020-21.