Reports suggest that the New York Knicks are anticipated to name Mike Brown, a two-time recipient of the NBA Coach of the Year honor, as the team`s next head coach.
This decision follows a comprehensive search process conducted by Knicks president Leon Rose, which commenced about a month ago after the departure of former coach Tom Thibodeau. The team reportedly sought permission to speak with five active NBA head coaches, requests that were denied. Subsequently, they interviewed several available candidates, involving multiple stages of discussions.
Brown brings significant experience, including four championships earned as a high-ranking assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs, working alongside acclaimed coaches Steve Kerr and Gregg Popovich. Over three decades in the NBA, he has coached numerous superstar players across various teams, 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 was most recently the head coach for the Sacramento Kings but was dismissed in December after the team started the season 13-18. Despite this, he is credited with leading the Kings to their first playoff appearance in 16 seasons in 2023, ending the longest postseason drought in NBA history. During that 2023 campaign, the Kings featured the league`s top-rated offense under his guidance.
Sources indicate that Brown was the only coaching candidate who participated in multiple interview rounds for the Knicks position. These meetings reportedly included discussions with President Rose, members of the team`s front office, and owner James Dolan.
Other individuals interviewed for the role reportedly included former Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins, New Orleans Pelicans associate coach James Borrego, and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori.
Across his head coaching tenures with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Sacramento Kings, Brown holds a combined regular-season record of 454-304. He first received the NBA Coach of the Year award in 2009 while coaching Cleveland and earned the honor again in 2023 with Sacramento.
In 2007, Brown guided the Cavaliers to an appearance in the NBA Finals, where they were ultimately swept in four games by the Spurs.
The Knicks, who advanced to the Eastern Conference finals this past season before being eliminated by the Indiana Pacers, are aiming to reach heights not seen in decades. The franchise has not appeared in the NBA Finals since 1999 and last won an NBA championship in 1973.