Funeral Services for Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson have been scheduled for Saturday. Thompson died Sunday after a battle with cancer. While the city mourns his death, chatter has already begun about a possible replacement. Our Zack Fink has that story.

"My understanding is an appointment from the Governor for the next basically year and then of course the election was already scheduled for next year for District Attorney," said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has the power to appoint Ken Thompson's replacement in Brooklyn, but he is under no obligation to do so.

In the five years Cuomo has been Governor, he has declined to appoint county District Attorneys four times when there were vacancies. But he has filled at least one vacancy, appointing a District Attorney in upstate Livingston County in 2012.

Complicating matters is that Thompson's number two, Eric Gonzalez is currently serving as acting DA, the first Latino District Attorney in New York City.

Sources tell NY1 that Public Advocate Letitia James is emerging as the front-runner to succeed Thompson should Brooklyn County Democrats press Cuomo for an appointment replacement.

"I'm going to miss Ken," the Public Advocate said. "I'm going to miss seeing him in the grocery store. Walking in our neighborhood. I'm going to miss him a lot. But I do know that we have to carry on, so may he rest in peace. But the struggle for justice continues."

Such a move could create a massive game of political musical chairs. If James were to take the job, insiders say it would be in even higher hopes to one day run for State Attorney General and it would leave a vacancy in the office of Public Advocate.

Mayor de Blasio would then have to call for a special non-partisan election for Public Advocate within 45 days. Sources say some early names mentioned to run in that short election cycle include Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., both of whom have expressed interest in running for Mayor.

Also mentioned as a possible candidate for Public Advocate is Democratic State Senator Daniel Squadron who lost to James for the seat in 2013. If Squadron were to win, it would leave a vacancy in the state Senate where Democrats need every vote they can get next year if they hope to form a majority.

All parties speculated as candidates in this merry-go-round declined to comment.

Right now all eyes are on Governor Cuomo and insiders say he is unlikely to make any appointment unless it benefits him or his 2018 re-election campaign.