Four intriguing head-coaching options for the Knicks after Tom Thibodeau's shocking firing

In a shocking move on Tuesday, the New York Knicks fired head coach Tom Thibodeau. Thibodeau went 226-174 in his five seasons in New York and made the playoffs four times, highlighted by an Eastern Conference Finals appearance this season. New York is now in need of a new coach, and as the NBA world is still processing the stunning news, who are the potential head coaches lining up to be Thibs' replacement?

Michael Malone

Michael Malone is the most obvious choice to take over as head coach of the Knicks. Malone has a championship pedigree, winning the 2022-23 title with the Denver Nuggets, and had coached his former team to eight consecutive 45-plus-win seasons until he was fired at the end of the regular season. While Thibodeau was a defensively oriented coach, Malone is more offensively minded and could unlock the Knicks' often-stagnant offense. Malone led the Nuggets to the best offensive rating in the league over his last eight years in Denver, per Statmuse. Malone's coaching style could be the key to the Knicks fully reaching their offensive ceiling and pushing through to the NBA Finals for the first time since the 1998-99 season. 

Jay Wright

The Knicks could keep the Villanova reunion going and hire former Wildcats head coach Jay Wright. The Basketball Hall of Fame inductee coached Villanova for 21 seasons and won two national championships with a combination of Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson on the roster. Now that his former players are playing together in the NBA, Wright could be enticed to finally come to the big leagues. Wright does have experience with NBA players as an assistant coach for Team USA, and there would likely never be an opportunity this well suited for him ever again. 

Sam Cassell

With an increase of former players becoming head coaches, Sam Cassell is surely next in line for his opportunity. The 16-year NBA veteran has been on coaching staffs across the league since 2008. He has contributed to winning teams, highlighted by being a part of last year's championship Boston Celtics coaching staff. Cassell has a great reputation around the league and was voted by league executives as the best assistant coach in the NBA last season. Cassell is just waiting for his chance. 

Johnnie Bryant

Johnnie Bryant is relatively unknown in the larger NBA world, but he is a familiar face to the Knicks. The Cleveland Cavaliers associate head coach previously worked for four years on New York's coaching staff. ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Tuesday that Bryant was a leading candidate to get the Phoenix Suns job, but now with his former team having an opening, perhaps he could be lured to the Big Apple.