The New York Knicks are inching closer to naming their next head coach, with Mike Brown emerging as the frontrunner in a highly competitive and closely watched coaching search. Brown, a seasoned NBA veteran with a 455-304 career coaching record, is set for a second interview with the Knicks this week, signaling the organization's growing interest in his candidacy to replace Tom Thibodeau at Madison Square Garden.
Brown's coaching journey has been marked by both success and surprising setbacks. Most recently, he led the Sacramento Kings to their first playoff appearance in 17 seasons during the 2022-23 campaign, earning unanimous NBA Coach of the Year honors. Despite this achievement, the Kings parted ways with Brown just 31 games into the 2024-25 season after a 13-18 start, a move that shocked many in the league. Prior to Sacramento, Brown had two stints as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and spent over a season with the Los Angeles Lakers. His tenure in Cleveland is particularly notable, where he coached a young LeBron James and led the team to the 2007 NBA Finals, compiling a 305-187 record over six seasons alongside the superstar.
Brown’s defensive-minded approach could be a perfect fit for the Knicks, who have been building a roster capable of contending for an NBA championship. Under Brown’s leadership, the Kings boasted one of the league’s best defenses, even if their overall team performance had its ups and downs. The Knicks’ current roster, featuring stars like Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges, offers Brown the tools to install a top-ranked defense while potentially introducing more offensive creativity, an area where New York showed some limitations last season.
The coaching search itself has been anything but straightforward for the Knicks. After firing Thibodeau on June 3, 2025, following a spirited run to the Eastern Conference finals—their best playoff showing in 25 years—the Knicks sought permission to interview several current NBA head coaches, including Dallas Mavericks’ Jason Kidd, Houston Rockets’ Ime Udoka, Minnesota Timberwolves’ Chris Finch, Chicago Bulls’ Billy Donovan, and Atlanta Hawks’ Quin Snyder. All teams declined the Knicks’ requests, though Kidd remains a name of interest due to his recent success, including a Western Conference finals appearance and an NBA Finals run.
With current head coaches off the table, New York turned to former NBA coaches and top assistants. Alongside Brown, the Knicks have interviewed former Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins, who was fired shortly before the 2025 playoffs despite leading Memphis to consistent postseason appearances. Pelicans assistant James Borrego, who previously coached the Charlotte Hornets, and Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, who has limited head coaching experience but is highly regarded as an assistant, also remain in the mix.
Brown’s candidacy is strengthened by his history with the Knicks organization. He interviewed for the head coaching job back in 2020 and left a strong impression, though the team ultimately hired Thibodeau. Now, with Thibodeau’s departure, Brown has resurfaced as a leading contender, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record of turning teams around.
LeBron James’ recent comments add an intriguing layer to the Knicks' coaching saga. After opting into his $52.6 million player option with the Lakers for the upcoming season, James was caught on video discussing retirement plans with his wife Savannah. She reportedly wants him to retire “in the next year or so,” but James himself remarked, “I ain’t mad looking at New York.” This cryptic statement has fueled speculation about a potential reunion with Brown, who coached James during his first Cleveland stint. While nothing is confirmed, the possibility of a LeBron-Brown partnership in New York has Knicks fans and NBA observers buzzing.
The Knicks have been aggressively pursuing a championship-caliber roster this offseason. They explored trades for Kevin Durant before his move to Houston and remain linked to rumors involving Giannis Antetokounmpo. The franchise’s clear message is a commitment to winning now, and the coaching hire will be critical in guiding this talented squad to new heights.
Tom Thibodeau’s tenure with the Knicks was marked by a significant turnaround. After taking over in 2020, he led the team to back-to-back 50-win seasons and their first Eastern Conference finals appearance since 2000. His defensive intensity and player development helped transform New York into a legitimate contender. However, despite these successes, the Knicks decided to part ways with Thibodeau, citing the need for a fresh direction. The team still owes him at least $30 million on his contract extension signed earlier in 2024.
Other coaching names have been floated as potential candidates, including Michael Malone, who was fired by the Denver Nuggets before the 2025 playoffs despite winning the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2023, and Mike Budenholzer, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year with a 2021 championship with the Milwaukee Bucks. Jeff Van Gundy, the last Knicks coach to lead the team to the NBA Finals, is also considered, though he has not held a head coaching position since 2007.
Luke Walton, now a lead assistant with the Detroit Pistons, has been mentioned as well, but his head coaching record (166-241) pales in comparison to Brown's achievements. The Knicks’ patient and exhaustive search reflects the high stakes involved, as the team aims to build on recent playoff success and make a deep postseason run in 2025-26.
With Mike Brown’s second interview scheduled and his strong candidacy, it seems the Knicks are leaning toward a coach with a proven ability to lead playoff teams and develop defensive excellence. Brown’s history with LeBron and his recent Coach of the Year award only add to the appeal. As the search continues, Knicks fans eagerly await the official announcement, hopeful that the next coach can finally deliver the long-awaited championship.
