The New York Knicks have been forced to expand their head coach search outside of candidates who are under contract with rival teams, and it sounds like they have serious interest in one somewhat surprising candidate.
Veteran coach Mike Brown has received “increased focus” from the Knicks, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. The same is true for former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins.
Brown most recently coached the Sacramento Kings from 2022-2024. He inherited a team in 2022 that had missed the postseason for 16 straight seasons and led them to a 48-34 record and a playoff berth. Brown went 46-36 in his second year with Sacramento and missed the playoffs. He was then fired earlier this season after the Kings got off to a 13-18 start.
The Kings received a great deal of criticism for the way they handled Brown’s firing.
Prior to his stint in Sacramento, Brown had two separate stints as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and a brief tenure in the same role with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors for several seasons between his second stint with the Cavs and his time with the Kings.
Amick notes that Brown has a close relationship with Knicks president William Wesley, who was a member of LeBron James’ inner circle when Brown coached LeBron in Cleveland. Brown also interviewed for the Knicks job in 2020 before Tom Thibodeau was hired, and Brown is said to have made a “very strong impression” on New York’s brass.
The 55-year-old Brown has been named NBA Coach of the Year twice, so he is experienced and has an impressive resume.
The Knicks have tried to interview several head coaches who are currently under contract with other teams. All of those requests have been denied, including their attempt to speak with their reported top choice.
There has been talk of New York potentially bringing back one of their former coaches as well, so their search appears to be wide open.
