By Heather Grossmann
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — Disgraced ex-coach Isiah Thomas walked away from his consulting gig with the Knicks Wednesday night after less than a week on the job.
Thomas, whose losing tenure with the Knicks ended in the wake of a sexual harassment charge in 2008, had been consulting with the team on personnel decisions, trades and draft picks.
But earlier Wednesday, ESPN.com reported that as head coach of the college team Florida International, Thomas' role with the Knicks might violate NBA rules preventing "team personnel, including consultants, from having contact with players not eligible for the draft."
"After speaking with Commissioner Stern and Knicks executives, it has become apparent that my new agreement violates certain NBA bylaws. Because of this, I have decided to rescind my contract with the team," Thomas said in a statement released on NBA.com.
The ex-coach went on to apologize for his ignominious history with the Knicks.
"One of the biggest regrets of my life is that the Knicks didn't perform up to the standards the fans had every right to expect while I was in charge. I take full responsibility for that. I was very much looking forward to this unique opportunity to help the organization do what I do best: find basketball talent. I wish the team nothing but success in the future," Thomas said in the statement.
NBA commish David Stern issued a statement of his own saying that as a result of Thomas' decision, it was not "necessary for the league to take any formal action on the proposed arrangement."
Stern also took the opportunity to remind the Knicks of the NBA rules banning team staff from contact with players not eligible for the draft.
