Rejoice, Knicks Fans: NBA Rules Prohibit Isiah Thomas From Working For Team

So much for Isiah Thomas returning to the Knicks as a part-time consultant. The Knicks will have to look elsewhere since hiring a college coach to any capacity with an NBA team is against league rules:

After nearly three days of reviewing league policies that apply to the consulting arrangement Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan tried to arrange with Thomas, the Knicks and NBA officials reached the only conclusion possible: Thomas' job as basketball coach at Florida International clearly disqualifies him from working in any capacity for an NBA team. League rules strictly prohibit any coach, scout, executive, consultant or anyone else remotely employed in basketball operations with an NBA team from having any contact with draft-ineligible players. Such contact, obviously, is a key part of a college basketball coach's job.

To the lay person it would seem fairly obvious that a college coach working with an NBA team was against league rules on at least one of the sides, but in great Knick fashion it took James Dolan three days to figure out that it was against NBA rules.

So, Isiah Thomas is not going to be hired as a Knick consultant, but James Dolan must really like Thomas:

Here's all you need to know about Isiah's dealings with the Knicks. James Dolan said tonight: "I will continue to solicit his views."

So Isiah Thomas will not be paid but will still essentially be doing the same job?  That seems on the up and up.

In news that's one part shocking and one part obvious, apparently there are important people in the Knicks' hierarchy who aren't too thrilled that the team has decided to bring Isiah Thomas back as a part-time consultant. Namely, Donnie Walsh.

The Knicks president was reportedly so angry that he nearly resigned, according to a report by Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. 

The Daily News has learned that Donnie Walsh considered resigning after Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan made the controversial move to hire Thomas, but Walsh decided to continue running the team despite his objections to Thomas having a role in the front office.

"Donnie finds this entire thing distasteful," said one NBA source. "He's had second thoughts about staying but he wants to finish the job."

Walsh isn't the only one in the Knicks brass upset at the decision, though.

Besides Walsh and Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni being against the move, Garden vice chairman Hank Ratner and Garden president Scott O'Neil voiced their displeasure but were overruled by Dolan, sources said.

Walsh reportedly refused when Dolan asked if Thomas could be considered a candidate for the open GM position, according to Isola. However, Walsh did say a month ago that he "wouldn't rule out" Thomas for the position. 

Either way, it appears controversy is on its way back to New York.

Take a deep breath, Knicks fans, because Isiah Thomas will not be your general manager going forward. So I guess it could be worse. But if you're a Knicks fan, you're probably shaking your head at this latest news about Thomas' role in the organization.

Via Marc Berman of the New York Post:

Knicks are about to announce Isiah Thomas will be named a part-time consultant to club but keeps his job at FIU. Weird.    

A "part-time consultant" position seems pretty minor, so it's not like Isiah will be making big decisions or anything, but it's comical that the Knicks still can't completely wash their hands of him. Well, it's comical if you're not a Knicks fan. Sorry guys. I feel your pain.