Source: Joel Abelson To Leave Reno Bighorns, Join Westchester Knicks (As Executive)

With just weeks remaining until D-League training camp begins, all minor league teams have introduced and/or retained their head coaches for next season; every team but the Westchester Knicks, that is.

Despite already having hosted open tryouts earlier in the month, the identity of the squad's first head coach has not been revealed. That said, the word going around (as RidiculousUpside.com reported previously), is that Kevin Whitted (who was in fact present at tryouts) will be introduced as head coach soon enough.

Even so, the Knicks appear poised to pluck another coach from the D-League ranks as well.

A source tells RidiculousUpside.com that the team will hire Joel Abelson (head coach of the Reno Bighorns last season) in a separate capacity. He'll instead assume some sort of front office position, likely as Director of Player Operations.

This creates a surprising vacancy in Reno. No word on whether or not the NBA-affiliated Sacramento Kings have filled the void as of yet, but considering how close it already is to the start of the season, it's likely they have someone in mind.

If one thing is for certain, that someone is not Ty Ellis. An assistant on Coach Abelson's staff in Reno last season, Ellis has accepted a lead assistant coach position with the Grand Rapids Drive, RidiculousUpside.com has learned. His own Twitter bio happens to confirm the change in scenery.

And while Westchester nor Reno have made any official announcement on either front, perhaps the Bighorns have quietly acknowledged Coach Abelson's departure. While he was initially referenced as the point of contact for the team's open tryouts this month, his name has since been removed.

A head coach for the past two seasons in the D-League (the first with the Sioux Falls Skyforce), Abelson owns a record of 52-48. It'll be interesting to see how/if his success will translate as he lends his talents to this new role.