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New front-runner named for Knicks head-coaching job

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 4:25 PM ET

A new front-runner has emerged for the New York Knicks head-coaching vacancy.

Former Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown has emerged as the favorite for the Knicks job, according to longtime NBA reporter Frank Isola. Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd also cannot be completely ruled out.

Jason Kidd was the No. 1 target – and until the Knicks name a coach you can’t entirely rule him out – but Mike Brown is emerging as the front runner.
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) June 30, 2025

Brown has long been named as a leading candidate for the job after the Knicks’ first wave of interview attempts were blocked. Kidd was the top target, and the interest was seemingly mutual, but that would be very difficult to pull off with Kidd employed by another team.

Considering how high the Knicks were aiming when they fired Tom Thibodeau, Brown might be something of a disappointment. He did just come off a successful stint with the Kings, where his firing last season came as a major shock.

Brown has a lifetime record of 454-304 as an NBA head coach in stops with Cleveland, the Los Angeles Lakers, and Sacramento. He has made at least one playoff appearance with each of the three teams he has coached.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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