D'Antoni remains in Bulls' holding pattern

It's a good thing the Phoenix Suns did not give Mike D'Antoni a deadline of today to find another job, as initially was believed, because the future of the Suns' soon-to-be-former coach did not become any clearer Thursday.

The Bulls, who remain very much interested in D'Antoni, have yet to extend him a contract offer. A source close to the team's search said general manager John Paxson is sticking to his plan and not worrying about how much time it takes for the process to play out -- even if a bona fide candidate such as D'Antoni is hired elsewhere while Paxson is interviewing others.

Warren LeGarie, D'Antoni's agent, did not meet with New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh on Thursday during a stopover in New York on his way home to San Francisco from Greece. The two might have spoken on the telephone, and Walsh is said to be torn as he tries to decide between D'Antoni and Mark Jackson, both of whom have interviewed with Walsh.

Paxson is believed to remain interested in talking with Avery Johnson, who was fired by the Dallas Mavericks last week, as well as some assistant coaches on playoff teams, such as the Boston Celtics' Tom Thibodeau.

Johnson interviewed with Walsh on Tuesday in Houston, and Thibodeau's name also has come up in connection with the Knicks. The Celtics have yet to grant Thibodeau permission to talk with any team because coach Doc Rivers does not want any distractions during Boston's postseason run.