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Former Piston: Isiah Thomas Won't Rejoin N.Y. Knicks

DETROIT (WWJ/CBS) - Isiah Thomas reportedly says he will not re-join the New York Knicks management staff.

In a surprise move on Friday, New York Knicks owner James Dolan and president Donnie Walsh announced that they had "mutually agreed" that Walsh would not be back as president next season, instead shifting into a consulting role.

Walsh's departure doesn't mean that former Knicks president, and noted Dolan confidante, Isiah Thomas is coming back for a sequel.

Indeed, ESPNNY.com reports on Friday that Thomas, former Detroit Piston, has ruled himself out.

"I'll only say that Jim and I are great friends," Thomas said, "and I will always try to help him help the Knicks. If he wants me to help, I'll be there for him.

"I have no desire to return as president of the Knicks," said Thomas, now the head coach of Florida International University. "I'm not a candidate to replace Donnie. I like the job I have right now, and the toll that the (Knicks) job took on me, my wife, and my kids, I don't want to go through that again."

The Thomas years were filled with bloated contracts, strange trades and sexual harassment allegations. Clearly, no one wants to go back down that road.

CBSSports.com's Ken Berger has much more on who has emerged as early candidates to replace Walsh.

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