Knicks tab Mike Brown as head coach
The New York Knicks have reportedly offered their head coaching job to Mike Brown, per ESPN’s Shams Charania, with the two sides expected to finalize the deal soon.
Brown was the first candidate to earn a second interview with the Knicks amid a lengthy coaching search, having met with the team again on July 1.
New York will now be the fourth NBA franchise Brown has served as head coach for, and his fifth stint overall, having previously coached the Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, and Cleveland Cavaliers twice.
Another addition
New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego, who was also considered for the Knicks’ head coaching job, is reportedly viewed very fondly by Brown, who sees him as an “important addition” to his staff in New York, per SNY’s Ian Begley.
Previous history
At 55 years old, Brown has already served as head coach for his fair share of notable names in NBA history, including LeBron James (2005-2010) and the late, great Kobe Bryant (2011-2012). He coached the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in 2009 before being swiftly dispatched by Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan’s San Antonio Spurs in four games.
He also served as a top assistant for Golden State from 2016 to 2022, where he coached other legends such as Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.
In May 2022, he was named the new head coach of the Sacramento Kings, his first leading job since 2014.
Brown rejuvenated basketball in Sacramento, coaching the team to a league-leading offense and their first playoff clinch since 2006, breaking a 16-year postseason drought under his helm.
Under Brown, the Kings pushed the Golden State Warriors, his newest old team at that point, to a seven-game series in the first round of the 2023 playoffs before Curry and company eventually proved too much to beat. Sacramento has not been back to the postseason since.
Brown was relieved of his coaching duties in Sacramento in December 2024.