The New York Knicks are finalizing a deal to rent Mike Brown as their subsequent head coach, league sources confirmed Wednesday.
Brown, 55, will exchange Tom Thibodeau, who was dismissed following New York’s loss to the Indiana Pacers within the Japanese Convention Finals. The transfer comes after a month-long teaching search and indicators a shift in course for a franchise coming off its greatest season in 25 years.
The Knicks received 51 video games and made their deepest playoff run since 2000, however selected to half methods with Thibodeau in an effort to modernize their system and maximize a roster constructed to contend now. Brown’s arrival displays that aim, because the group turns to a veteran coach with a confirmed report of success, adaptability, and postseason expertise.
Brown Brings Pedigree on the Sidelines
A two-time NBA Coach of the Yr, Brown brings an intensive résumé to New York. He received the award with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2009 and once more with the Sacramento Kings in 2023. Over 11 seasons as a head coach, Brown holds a 454-304 profession report (.599) and has led groups to the playoffs seven occasions.
He guided the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in 2007 and helped finish Sacramento’s record-setting playoff drought in his first season with the Kings. That 12 months, the Kings posted probably the most environment friendly offense in NBA historical past on the time and completed third within the Western Convention.
Brown’s teaching profession spans three many years and contains stints in Cleveland, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. Whereas his second tenure in Cleveland and transient time with the Lakers ended with out playoff success, his capability to construct construction, develop gamers, and create elite offensive techniques has persistently earned respect throughout the league.
His expertise goes past the pinnacle teaching chair. Brown was a part of Gregg Popovich’s employees in the course of the San Antonio Spurs’ 2003 title run and spent six years beneath Steve Kerr with the Golden State Warriors, serving to the group win championships in 2017, 2018, and 2022.
These stops in San Antonio and Golden State supplied Brown a first-hand training in championship tradition, offensive flexibility, and participant empowerment.
He has both served as head coach or been on the teaching employees working with among the recreation’s all-time greats—Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant amongst them—and is anticipated to convey a modernized strategy to a Knicks group able to win now.
Brown Steps Into Knicks Position Able to Lead
Brown’s most up-to-date stint in Sacramento resulted in December after a 13-18 begin to the 2024–25 season. Whereas the Kings’ offense remained one of the productive within the league, defensive struggles and inner challenges reportedly led to a untimely dismissal.
Nonetheless, Brown’s turnaround of the Kings franchise in 2022–23 stood out as one of the spectacular teaching jobs in current reminiscence.
In New York, Brown inherits a roster centered round Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Cities. Brunson emerged as one of many NBA’s elite guards final season, and Cities was acquired this offseason to solidify the Knicks’ frontcourt. The duo varieties the inspiration of a group constructed to contend in a wide-open Japanese Convention.
The teaching change can also be geared toward addressing offensive stagnation. Beneath Thibodeau, the Knicks usually relied on isolation-heavy units and quick rotations, resulting in criticism about predictability and put on on key gamers. Brown is anticipated to implement a extra motion-oriented, pace-and-space assault that encourages ball motion and leverages the group’s depth.
Formidable Search to Clear Alternative
Crew president Leon Rose led an formidable seek for Thibodeau’s alternative. The Knicks reached out to a number of high-profile head coaches, together with Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks, Quin Snyder of the Atlanta Hawks, Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls, Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets, and Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves. All requests had been denied.
Kidd was believed to be the Knicks’ prime goal and reportedly confirmed curiosity in returning to New York, the place he performed in the course of the 2012–13 season. His connection to Brunson from their time collectively in Dallas added intrigue. Nevertheless, the Mavericks declined to grant permission for an interview, and the Knicks turned their consideration elsewhere.
Brown turned the one candidate to obtain a number of interviews, together with a ultimate assembly with group proprietor James Dolan. Different names thought of included former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins, New Orleans Pelicans affiliate head coach James Borrego, and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori.
Brown’s observe report, playoff expertise, and championship pedigree in the end separated him from the remainder of the sector. He additionally impressed in the course of the interview course of together with his capability to speak a transparent imaginative and prescient for the Knicks shifting ahead.
Whereas his employees has but to be finalized, there may be hypothesis Brown might look so as to add Borrego in a outstanding assistant function. Borrego has a powerful status as an offensive tactician and beforehand served as head coach of the Charlotte Hornets. Nevertheless, he stays beneath contract with the Pelicans, and his availability is unsure.
The Knicks consider they’re getting into a window of rivalry. Accidents and roster modifications throughout the convention have created a chance to climb additional. With Brown’s management and a revamped roster, New York is positioning itself to push for its first NBA Finals look since 1999—and doubtlessly its first championship since 1973.
