The New York Knicks are finalizing a deal to hire Mike Brown as their next head coach, league sources confirmed Wednesday.
Brown, 55, will replace Tom Thibodeau, who was dismissed following New York’s loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The move comes after a month-long coaching search and signals a shift in direction for a franchise coming off its best season in 25 years.
The Knicks won 51 games and made their deepest playoff run since 2000, but chose to part ways with Thibodeau in an effort to modernize their system and maximize a roster built to contend now. Brown’s arrival reflects that goal, as the organization turns to a veteran coach with a proven record of success, adaptability, and postseason experience.
Brown Brings Pedigree on the Sidelines
A two-time NBA Coach of the Year, Brown brings an extensive résumé to New York. He won the award with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2009 and again with the Sacramento Kings in 2023. Over 11 seasons as a head coach, Brown holds a 454-304 career record (.599) and has led teams to the playoffs seven times.
He guided the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in 2007 and helped end Sacramento’s record-setting playoff drought in his first season with the Kings. That year, the Kings posted the most efficient offense in NBA history at the time and finished third in the Western Conference.
Brown’s coaching career spans three decades and includes stints in Cleveland, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. While his second tenure in Cleveland and brief time with the Lakers ended without playoff success, his ability to build structure, develop players, and create elite offensive systems has consistently earned respect across the league.
His experience goes beyond the head coaching chair. Brown was part of Gregg Popovich’s staff during the San Antonio Spurs’ 2003 title run and spent six years under Steve Kerr with the Golden State Warriors, helping the team win championships in 2017, 2018, and 2022.
Those stops in San Antonio and Golden State offered Brown a first-hand education in championship culture, offensive flexibility, and player empowerment.
He has either served as head coach or been on the coaching staff working with some of the game’s all-time greats—Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant among them—and is expected to bring a modernized approach to a Knicks team ready to win now.
Brown Steps Into Knicks Role Ready to Lead
Brown’s most recent stint in Sacramento ended in December after a 13-18 start to the 2024–25 season. While the Kings’ offense remained one of the most productive in the league, defensive struggles and internal challenges reportedly led to a premature dismissal.
Still, Brown’s turnaround of the Kings franchise in 2022–23 stood out as one of the most impressive coaching jobs in recent memory.
In New York, Brown inherits a roster centered around Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Brunson emerged as one of the NBA’s elite guards last season, and Towns was acquired this offseason to solidify the Knicks’ frontcourt. The duo forms the foundation of a team built to contend in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
The coaching change is also aimed at addressing offensive stagnation. Under Thibodeau, the Knicks often relied on isolation-heavy sets and short rotations, leading to criticism about predictability and wear on key players. Brown is expected to implement a more motion-oriented, pace-and-space attack that encourages ball movement and leverages the team’s depth.
Ambitious Search to Clear Choice
Team president Leon Rose led an ambitious search for Thibodeau’s replacement. The Knicks reached out to several high-profile head coaches, including Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks, Quin Snyder of the Atlanta Hawks, Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls, Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets, and Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves. All requests were denied.
Kidd was believed to be the Knicks’ top target and reportedly showed interest in returning to New York, where he played during the 2012–13 season. His connection to Brunson from their time together in Dallas added intrigue. However, the Mavericks declined to grant permission for an interview, and the Knicks turned their attention elsewhere.
Brown became the only candidate to receive multiple interviews, including a final meeting with team owner James Dolan. Other names considered included former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins, New Orleans Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego, and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori.
Brown’s track record, playoff experience, and championship pedigree ultimately separated him from the rest of the field. He also impressed during the interview process with his ability to communicate a clear vision for the Knicks moving forward.
While his staff has yet to be finalized, there is speculation Brown could look to add Borrego in a prominent assistant role. Borrego has a strong reputation as an offensive tactician and previously served as head coach of the Charlotte Hornets. However, he remains under contract with the Pelicans, and his availability is uncertain.
The Knicks believe they are entering a window of contention. Injuries and roster changes across the conference have created an opportunity to climb further. With Brown’s leadership and a revamped roster, New York is positioning itself to push for its first NBA Finals appearance since 1999—and potentially its first championship since 1973.
