Knicks Could Lock In On Cavaliers Assistant Johnnie Bryant In Coaching Search

Perhaps the two will meet as one. Perhaps.

Bryant was considered one of two finalists for the Phoenix Suns’ vacancy, along with fellow Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott. That job reportedly went to Ott. That leaves the Knicks, and Bryant, who previously served as Tom Thibodeau’s top assistant. Thibodeau was fired on Tuesday.

Per Jaclyn Hendricks of the New York Post, “the Knicks could lock in on Bryant,” in their search for a new main man on the sidelines.

This past season marked Bryant’s first in Cleveland, where he served as associate head coach under Kenny Atkinson, also in his first year with the organization. Before that, Bryant held the same position under Thibodeau with the Knicks from 2020-24.

While Bryant is a likely candidate, the Knicks’ coaching search is expected to be wide-ranging. Then again, sources said they likely had a candidate or two in mind when they decided to fire Thibodeau.

Bryant, 39, is close with Cavaliers All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell, as the two have worked together with the Utah Jazz and in Cleveland. 

Mitchell told Marc J. Spears of Andscape that Bryant has always held him accountable. 

“Obviously, Kenny Atkinson and I have a great relationship,” Mitchell said. “[Bryant is] a guy that’s always keeping me [honest]. Even when I have stretches where I play well, he will be like, ‘No, you ain’t done nothing yet. There is always room to grow.’ It’s always keeping yourself [humble].

“I give Coach Kenny and Johnnie Bryant a lot of credit, just because there is always a challenge. There’s always something. Never satisfied. There’s always something more, and [Bryant is] probably the guy that gets the most out of me.”