Ex-Knicks head coach Mike Woodson is done in Los Angeles after being an assistant coach to Doc Rivers the past three seasons, swinging the door open to join David Fizdale’s staff.
Woodson interviewed for the Knicks’ head-coaching job and expressed interest to The Post in joining Fizdale’s staff two weeks ago. Woodson gave Fizdale his first assistant-coaching bench job in Atlanta and they were together from 2004-08.
The Post has reported Fizdale is expected to bring in Keith Smart, his Memphis assistant whom he worked with in Miami. But it looks like Nick Van Exel, considered a candidate, is not coming to New York. Van Exel is expected to remain in Memphis with J.B. Bickerstaff, who replaced Fizdale and had the interim tag removed.
In a twitter message, Van Exel responded to a fan’s question on if he’d be joining the Knicks. “Nah,’’ Van Exel, a former top-shelf point guard, replied.
Meanwhile, Woodson was close to owner James Dolan and worked in Detroit with GM Scott Perry.
“I love David,’’ Woodson told The Post two weeks ago. “I gave him his first job on the bench — I know he worked one season before in Golden State. We’re very close. I’m sure he would call.’’
Woodson’s contract was up and Rivers is making him the scapegoat for a defensive regression this past season, with the Clippers allowing 109 points per game. Woodson was put in charge of the defense at midseason.
Of course, the Clippers were without their best defenders in Avery Bradley and Patrick Beverley, and Deandre Jordan became less of a rim protector. Woodson coached the Knicks to a 54-28 record in 2012-13 and was 109-79 overall.