Knicks hire Smart, 3 others as Fizdale’s assistant coaches

FILE – Head coach Keith Smart of the Sacramento Kings argues a call during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on March 27, 2013 in Oakland, California. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/AFP

NEW YORK — The New York Knicks have hired former NBA coach Keith Smart and three others as assistants on David Fizdale’s coaching staff.

Jud Buechler, Pat Sullivan and Royal Ivey were also added Thursday to join Fizdale, who was hired last month to replace Jeff Hornacek.

Smart coached Cleveland, Golden State and Sacramento and was most recently an assistant to Fizdale, and later J.B. Bickerstaff, in Memphis. He also was an assistant along with Fizdale in Miami, working under Erik Spoelstra.

Sullivan and Ivey have both been NBA assistants. Buechler spent the past two seasons as the Lakers’ player development coach.

The Knicks are preparing for their first draft under Fizdale and pick ninth. They worked out Villanova’s Mikal Bridges on Thursday and will bring in Duke’s Wendell Carter Jr. on Friday.

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