The New York Knicks have decided to move on from Tom Thibodeau despite reaching the Eastern Conference Finals this year, and one theory is that they already have their next head coach lined up.
Thibodeau has been fired by the Knicks following five seasons with the franchise that featured four playoff appearances. Even after Thibodeau’s team exceeded expectations, the Knicks reportedly felt they were in need of a new voice.
Many people are convinced that former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone will be that voice.
Malone was linked to the Knicks immediately after the shocking news about Thibodeau surfaced. ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins agreed that Malone seems like the obvious choice.
“It might have to be Michael Malone. I mean, when you talk about championship experience, what other coach is out there?” Perkins said. “He’s from the New York area, born and raised, went to high school right down the street from where Kyrie Irving grew up. … I don’t know who they are gonna hire. I think Michael Malone is probably the best fit if they’re trying to win now, because he is a championship-level coach.”
"It might have to be Michael Malone. I mean when you talk about championship experience, what other coach is out there?"@KendrickPerkins thinks the former Denver Nuggets head coach could be a good fit for the New York Knicks 👀 pic.twitter.com/9v3zSUOSOu
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 3, 2025
Many fans also think the Knicks are going to hire Malone:
Michael Malone welcome to the New York Knicks
— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) June 3, 2025
Mike Malone you are a New York Knick
— Knicks Memes (@KnicksMemes) June 3, 2025
Michael Malone will be coaching the New York Knicks for the 2025-2026 NBA season.
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) June 3, 2025
Malone was fired by the Nuggets in April, which was less than two years after he led the team to an NBA title. Nikola Jokic became arguably the best player in the NBA while playing under Malone.
Reports have suggested Malone could not co-exist with Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth. There were also questions about Malone’s roster decisions late in the year.
Depiste all that, Malone is the winningest coach in Nuggets franchise history with a record of 471-327. As Perkins mentioned, Malone is also from Queens and was an assistant with the Knicks 2001-2005. It makes sense for him to be viewed as the favorite in New York.
