If you’re a current NBA head coach, chances are the New York Knicks have requested permission to speak with you. Yet, after getting denied by the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves, the Knicks have no choice but to turn elsewhere in their quest to replace Tom Thibodeau.
So, who’s next on the Knicks’ interview list? We now have our answer.
According to [The Athletic’s NBA insider Sam Amick](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6420801/2025/06/12/knicks-coach-search-permission-denials-tom-thibodeau-firing/?source=user_shared_article&utm_content=buffer2979b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer), now the Knicks want to talk to a pair of former NBA head coaches. Specifically, Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins, both of whom were fired during the regular season by the Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies, respectively.
> “League sources say there is an increased Knicks focus on two former coaches who don’t require permission to pursue: Mike Brown (last with the Sacramento Kings) and Taylor Jenkins (formerly of the Memphis Grizzlies). There could certainly be more names of (available) head coaches emerging soon, as a league source said the Knicks are planning on finalizing that list in the coming days.”
>
> Sam Amick on New York Knicks coaching search
Unlike their previous pursuits, the Knicks can freely speak to Brown and/or Jenkins any time they like, since they’re not employed by other NBA teams. Yet, at this point Brown and Jenkins clearly were far from the Knicks’ first choices, which could make things a bit awkward during the remainder of New York’s coaching search.
**Related: [Conflicting reports emerge on Kevin Durant trade to New York Knicks](https://sportsnaut.com/nba/conflicting-reports-emerge-on-kevin-durant-trade-to-new-york-knicks/)**