The Knicks have hired Kurt Rambis to be an assistant coach on Derek Fisher’s staff, according to reports. Rambis won four championships with the Lakers as a player in the 1980s and won 2 more as an assistant coach under current Knicks President Phil Jackson. Rambis had an unsuccessful tenure as the head coach of the Timberwolves before returning to the Lakers as an assistant last season. Kurt was reportedly in contention for the Lakers’ vacant head coaching job, but it appears that Phil Jackson has lured him across the country to Madison Square Garden. Rambis is deeply familiar with Jackson’s Triangle Offense, which is likely a large reason for his hiring.

Reports on Wednesday suggested that the offer Rambis had received from the Knicks was one of the largest ever given to an assistant coach. ESPN’s Ian Begley reported a few minutes ago that Rambis had accepted the offer.

-Tommy Rothman