With an NBA Finals series well underway, most of the league’s eyes (and ears) are set on the lone head coaching vacancy in the association.
Tom Thibodeau was let go by the New York Knicks after leading the team to its first Eastern Conference Finals berth in 25 years. That much is a story in and of itself.
But what happens next is shaping up to be an even bigger one.
After being declined to speak with three employed coaches—Chris Finch, Jason Kidd, and Ime Udoka—league sources tell Knicks X-Factor that Mike Brown will get an interview for the Big Apple ball club’s coaching vacancy.
Brown is a long-tenured NBA coach, most recently serving as the head coach of the Sacramento Kings from 2022 to 2024.
One thing worth noting from his latest tenure at the helm is the Kings’ number one-ranked offense in his first year with the team.
Brown is known for his defensive aptitude, but New York’s offense and its lack of creativity are going to be a large focus of this coaching hire.
If he ends up being the guy, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a former head coach as his right-hand man, helping to add layers to an often stagnant Knicks’ offense.
Brown won’t be the only interview, rest assured. This process could span weeks and candidates in the double-digits as the team explores its options.
Kris Pursiainen of Clutch Points previously reported that the team’s search for Thibodeau’s replacement will feature “coaches at the collegiate level and not be limited to current assistants or former head coaches at the NBA level.”
It’s also worth noting that Brown, much like Kidd was interviewed during New York’s last coaching cycle, before they hired Thibodeau in 2020.
So, for anyone who isn’t a fan of Brown, don’t get concerned just yet. New York’s “Big 3” is off the board in Finch, Kidd, and Udoka. Now, they’ll switch gears, taking things down a notch, and perform due diligence on all (actually) available names.
