Isiah Thomas has now interviewed Maurice Cheeks, the former head coach of the Portland TrailBlazers.

Thomas is beginning to prepare to find his consolation prize if he does end up losing out on Phil Jackson.

"I would say I know we've focused a lot on Phil and we should because who he is and what he's done," Thomas said. "But in my mind, the other people I've talked to and people I will continue to talk to, there's some good coaches out there.

"I think there will be a second meeting [with Jackson]," said Thomas. "If it gets to a point about hiring Phil, he'll definitely sit down with [Garden president] Steve [Mills] and [Knicks owner] Jim [Dolan]. It's safe to say I think New York holds a special place for him."