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It’s looking more and more like Kenny Payne could actually leave Kentucky to join the New York Knicks.
According to Stadium reporter Jeff Goodman, Payne is weighing an offer to join the Knicks’ coaching staff. KSR’s Matt Jones adds that a decision should come soon.
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
Kenny Payne going to the Knicks is a real possibility....should know this week
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) August 8, 2020
This would be a brutal loss for Kentucky. Ironically, that was made clear Friday when Goodman released his ranking of the top SEC assistant coaches, where Payne came in No. 1.
It’s one thing to lose a top assistant to a head-coaching gig. But to lose him to another assistant role, albeit in the NBA (for arguably the league’s worst-run franchise), that would really sting.
And there’s already a report that Kentucky is looking at Indiana assistant Bruiser Flint as a replacement for Payne if he does leave.
All of this makes me think Payne is leaning toward leaving for the new gig, but we’ll find out soon either way.