Knicks To Hire Mike Brown As Head Coach

The New York Knicks intend to hire Mike Brown as their next head coach, per Shams Charania of ESPN.

Brown, 55, has previously served as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers (twice), Los Angeles Lakers and most recently, the Sacramento Kings. The Kings dismissed him in December of this past season after a 13-18 start.

Brown guided the Kings to the first playoff appearance in 16 years in 2022-23 and has won four championships as an assistant coach (two with Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors, two with Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs).

New York is coming off its first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals, before firing coach Tom Thibodeau after five years.

Brown was said to be one of two finalists for the job, along with former Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins.

“Brown was the only coaching candidate to interview for the Knicks’ job multiple times, including holding meetings with (Knicks president Leon Rose), the team’s front office and owner James Dolan on Tuesday, sources said,” Charania wrote.

Brown has won the NBA Coach of the Year award with the Cavs in 2009 and Kings in 2023.

The Knicks reportedly are expected to keep most of the assistant coaching staff, including Rick Brunson, the father of star point guard Jalen Brunson.