Knicks Get Major Update In Head Coach Search: Report

Getty

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 19: Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown reacts towards his bench during their game against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half at Golden 1 Center on December 19, 2024 in Sacramento, California.

The New York Knicks‘ offseason has been highlighted by an extensive search for a new head coach.

According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the Knicks could be ever closer to finding a replacement for Tom Thibodeau. New York has interviewed multiple candidates and reached out to teams around the league for potential meetings, but Begley said that former Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown made a ‘good impression’ with the front office.

“I know Brown has made a good impression during the interview process and garnered support,” Belgey wrote.

New York has scheduled interviews or already met with four coaches over the past few days. That list includes Brown, former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins, New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego, and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori.

Knicks In Search Of New Head Coach

New York fired Thibodeau after he led them to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years. In his five years with the Knicks, he had a 226-174 regular season record, with three postseason appearances going 24-23 in that span.

After their most successful season this millennium, they are now searching for a new play-caller for Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and company. Early into the offseason, New York reached out to multiple current head coaches in hopes of poaching them from their respective teams.

That strategy didn’t play out too well, leading a few of them to land contract extensions amidst New York’s interest.

Most recently, the Knicks have locked in on Brown, Borrego, Jenkins, and Nori as their preferred candidates, each interviewing with the team over the past few days in hopes of landing the job.

According to Begley, Brown made a good impression with the front office and could be the current frontrunner for the position.

James L Edwards III of The Athletic also commented on New York’s head coaching search. He said that both Brown and Jenkins appear to be the front runners for the position.

“Both candidates interviewed over multiple days and were impressive, per league sources,” Edwards III wrote before the NBA Draft. “Jenkins and Brown appear to be the front-runners as of now. However, New York has tossed around the idea of speaking with James Borrego for its vacancy, per league sources.”

A Three-Way Battle

During his time with the Kings, Brown led them to a 107-88 regular season record with one playoff appearance in his three years. Brown was fired in December 2024 after Sacramento went on a five-game losing streak with a  13-18 to start the season.

Brown was previously an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors from 2016 to 2022, where he was a part of three title-winning teams. He also had head coaching stints with both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, with a combined record of 347-216 across six eight seasons. He led the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance in the 2006-07 season and their best record in franchise history in 2008-09.

Jenkins was with the Grizzlies from 2019 until near the end of this latest season. He led them to a 250-214 regular-season record in those six years, making three postseason appearances, including their first series win in seven seasons. Before that, he was an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks.

Borrego is the only name on New York’s shortlist that isn’t currently a head coach. As of now he is an assistant in New Orleans, but led the Charlotte Hornets with a 138-163 record from 2018 to 2022.

Begley said that he believes the Knicks are interested in hiring someone with previous head coaching experience. Of those with that experience, Brown has the best resume, winning Coach of the Year in 2022-23, and multiple championships during his time at Golden State.

New York has yet to name their head coach for the 2025-26 NBA season.

Eli Gregorski is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy Sports. He has years of sports writing experience covering the NBA, NFL, college football and basketball, international soccer, and Formula One. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he was the assistant sports editor for the award-winning CU Independent student publication. More about Eli Gregorski