"As far as we're concerned, he's coach of the Knicks, and he's going to remain the coach of the Knicks unless we're told otherwise," Joe Glass, Brown's longtime agent, was quoted by ESPN.com as saying. "We have not spoken with anybody from the Knicks in a week."

    But while there has been no recent contact between the sides, and no formal buyout talks have begun, it's clear the Knicks have made it known to Brown that they're open to the notion of a settlement on the four years and $40 million remaining on Brown's contract.

    Brown signed the deal last July, taking over what he once called a "dream job" and then leading the Knicks through a nightmare season at 23-59.

    After a horrendous season featuring 42 different starting lineups that resulted in the second worst record in the league, newspaper reports indicate Larry Brown might be one and done in New York. Outside the Lines examines what could amount to Brown's escape from New York, as well as his relationship with Isiah Thomas.

    That coach would almost certainly be team president Isiah Thomas, who assembled the roster that Brown found so difficult to coach.

    The likely next step in the process would be a meeting between Brown and Madison Square Garden owner James Dolan, although Brown reportedly has asked for one and was turned down. Enditem