According to sources on Wednesday, the New York Knicks are anticipated to name Mike Brown, a two-time recipient of the NBA Coach of the Year award, as their next head coach.
Knicks president Leon Rose conducted an extensive search following the dismissal of Tom Thibodeau last month. This process involved seeking permission to interview five currently employed NBA head coaches, which was reportedly denied, followed by multiple rounds of interviews with various available coaching candidates.
Brown boasts four championship rings from his time as a key assistant coach under Steve Kerr with Golden State and Gregg Popovich with San Antonio. His three-decade NBA coaching career includes stints leading prominent franchises such as the Warriors, Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Sacramento Kings, working with numerous superstar players.
Throughout his career, he has coached a remarkable lineup of NBA greats, including Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, De`Aaron Fox, and Domantas Sabonis.
Brown`s tenure with the Kings concluded in December following a 13-18 start to the season. This departure occurred despite him successfully guiding the franchise to their first playoff appearance in 16 years in 2023, ending the league`s longest postseason drought. That 2023 season also saw the Kings boast the NBA`s most efficient offense.
Sources indicated that Brown was the sole candidate to have multiple interviews for the Knicks` head coaching vacancy. His meetings included discussions with President Leon Rose, the team`s front office, and owner James Dolan on Tuesday.
Other candidates interviewed by the Knicks, according to sources, included former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins, New Orleans Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego, and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori.
Mike Brown cumulatively holds a 454-304 regular season record across his head coaching roles with the Cavaliers, Lakers, and Kings. He first earned the NBA Coach of the Year award in 2009 while with Cleveland and received the honor again in 2023 during his time in Sacramento.
He guided the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in 2007, though they were ultimately swept in four games by the San Antonio Spurs.
The Knicks` last appearance in the NBA Finals was in 1999, and their most recent championship came in 1973. This past season, the team was eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
