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Mike Brown identifies ‘important’ addition to New York Knicks plans once appointment is confirmed, face Pelicans battle

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network | By Dan Coombs | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 4:35 PM ET

Mike Brown is on the verge of being appointed as the New York Knicks head coach.

Former Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown is set to be confirmed as the New York Knicks‘ replacement for Tom Thibodeau.

Shams Charania reports for ESPN that Brown is expecting to be hired by the Knicks, after conducting a second interview.

The appointment would end a month-long search for a head coach after Tom Thibodeau was fired following the team’s playoff exit.

Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

Mike Brown has plans for the Knicks

The New York Knicks have already been busy in free agency, with a double signing in place for Guerschon Yabusele and Jordan Clarkson.

This strengthens the Knicks’ bench depth, giving Brown and his staff plenty to work with.

One candidate who was interviewed by the Knicks was New Orleans Pelicans’ assistant James Borrego.

According to SNY’s Ian Begley, Mike Brown plans to bring Borrego onto his staff and views him as an ‘important addition’.

Begley adds ‘there are hurdles’ to the Knicks adding Borrego onto Brown’s staff on the Knicks.

There are hurdles to Knicks adding James Borrego to staff. New coach Mike Brown sees him as an important addition: https://t.co/LEuEhvKE0C
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 2, 2025

New Orleans Pelicans do not want to lose James Borrego

According to Marc Stein, the New Orleans Pelicans do not want to lose James Borrego to the New York Knicks.

He posted on X: “New Orleans’ preference is that Borrego stays as Willie Green’s top assistant.”

League sources tell @JakeLFischer and me, as covered in the story below, that the Knicks have interest in hiring James Borrego as Mike Brown’s top assistant … but sources tell me New Orleans’ preference is that Borrego stays as Willie Green’s top assistant. https://t.co/6PGanvyvOW
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 2, 2025

If Borrego feels strongly about joining the New York Knicks, it could be difficult for the Pelicans to keep hold of him, even though he is under contract.

While Mike Brown will have alternatives in mind, it would be a bad look for the Knicks if they were unable to get their new head coach his preferences to join him on his staff.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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