Former Atlanta Hawks head coach Lon Kruger has emerged as a leading candidate to join Don Chaney's coaching staff, according to a league source.

Kruger, 51, was fired by the Hawks after the team got off to a 12-16 start. In 2-1/2 seasons Kruger went 70-122. Kruger spent four seasons at Illinois, where he coached Frank Williams for one year. Williams, a third-string point guard, was the Knicks' first-round pick last season.

The Knicks have already hired Brendan Malone and promoted Malone's son, Michael, to the position of advance scout.