Knicks To Interview Mike Brown For Coaching Vacancy A Second Time

The New York Knicks’ coaching search is gaining traction, and Mike Brown appears to be emerging as a serious contender.

Brown is set to receive a second interview with New York, according to The New York Post’s Stefan Bondy. He’s the first candidate to be invited back for a follow-up meeting, though others may join that list soon, Bondy added.

ESPN’s Shams Charania echoed that Brown is firmly in the mix, labeling him a “strong candidate” to replace Tom Thibodeau, who was let go despite leading the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Brown most recently served as head coach of the Sacramento Kings, who dismissed him this past season after a 13-18 start. Sacramento failed to gain much traction after the change, finishing 40-42 and missing the playoffs.

The Knicks have also interviewed Taylor Jenkins, Micah Nori and James Borrego. Jenkins was dismissed by Memphis near the end of the regular season. Nori is currently the lead assistant under Chris Finch in Minnesota. Borrego, a former Charlotte Hornets head coach, is the associate head coach in New Orleans.

Brown, 54, brings the most head coaching experience of the group. He got his start leading LeBron James and the Cavaliers in 2005, later coaching the Los Angeles Lakers and returning to Cleveland for a second stint. He spent six seasons on Steve Kerr’s staff with the Golden State Warriors before being hired by Sacramento in 2022.

His relationship with Knicks executive William Wesley is believed to be a factor, per Bondy. The Knicks have reportedly been denied permission to speak with several sitting head coaches around the league.

As of now, Brown is the only candidate known to be moving forward in the process.