Just because Thomas doesn't plan to coach, that doesn't mean Don Chaney's job is safe. Asked if he could assure Chaney would finish the season coaching the Knicks, Thomas declined to offer a security blanket.

"I would never say that about anybody," he said. "This is sports. Those types of broad statements are just not realistic in the sporting world we live in."

If Thomas does make a change this season, it's almost certain he'd have assistant Brendan Malone take over. Malone won 21 games with an expansion team in Toronto with. Thomas as GM, and he spent the past three seasons assisting Thomas in Indiana.