Despite their best efforts, the New York Knicks failed miserably in their pursuit to pry away Jason Kidd and Ime Udoka from the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets, respectively. Likewise, with Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch, Quin Snyder of the Atlanta Hawks, and Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan.
Now, they must pivot to choosing a new head coach from individuals who are actually available and won’t require permission from a rival team. With that in mind, we rank the nine coaches most linked to the Knicks’ head coach opening.
1. Taylor Jenkins
new york knicks
Credit: USA Today Sports
Former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins got a raw deal when he was fired just a few weeks before the playoffs started. Over his six seasons with the team, he helped develop all of their top stars and had the Grizz primed to be a Finals contender. Ja Morant becoming a mess off the court was why those hopes fell apart. But it is hard to blame that on Jenkins. He is a talented coach who is still very young (40 years old) and could be outstanding with the Knicks’ current roster.
2. Mike Brown
new york knicks
Credit: USA Today Sports
Despite bringing the Sacramento Kings back to relevancy, Mike Brown was ousted a third of the way through his third season. While his name might not excite Knicks fans, he has always been a highly respected coach with a deep knowledge. He has been an assistant or head coach for seven different teams during his career and has worked on the development of many future legends.
3. Michael Malone
new york knicks
Credit: USA Today Sports
Former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone should be at the top of this list. Especially since he actually has connections to the franchise after starting his NBA coaching career in New York. However, despite being the best coach on the market, the interest from the team seems lukewarm at best. Maybe that changes as they go through their interview process in the days ahead.
4. Johnnie Bryant
new york knicks
Credit: USA Today Sports
Johnnie Bryant was Tom Thibodeau’s associate head coach for four seasons. So the New York front office is very familiar with the career assistant. Furthermore, he was a finalist for the Phoenix Suns head coach job this month. Being a Thibodeau disciple while also being much younger certainly will make him an intriguing candidate for the organization.
5. Mike Budenholzer
new york knicks
Credit: USA Today Sports
Just a couple of seasons ago, Mike Budenholzer was viewed as one of the best coaches in the NBA. However, after a disastrous year in Phoenix, his stock has dropped considerably. Nevertheless, his resume speaks for itself (520-363 career record), especially since it has a championship on it.
6. Frank Vogel
new york knicks
Credit: USA Today Sports
Frank Vogel has been one of the more disrespected head coaches in the league over the last few years. He was ousted by the Los Angeles Lakers two years after winning a championship during the pandemic. Then was fired by the Suns after one season despite a 49-33 record. Vogel is still only 51 and is one of the most experienced coaches on the market.
7. Jeff Van Gundy
new york knicks
Credit: USA Today Sports
Jeff Van Gundy is one of the most beloved coaches in New York Knicks history. Since he is the last man to lead the franchise to the NBA Finals. Not that long ago, he seemed entrenched in a serious TV career. However, after his ouster from ESPN, he has slowly gotten back to his coaching roots. And this past season, he was a beloved member of the Los Angeles Clippers staff.
While not likely, the idea of JVG returning to New York to get the Knicks back to the Finals feels perfect.
8. Mike Woodson
new york knicks
Credit: USA Today Sports
Speaking of former Knicks head coaches, Mike Woodson has shockingly been linked to the opening in recent days. Why is anyone’s guess. While Woodson is respected and had some good seasons in New York during the previous decade, there is no real reason to expect the 67-year-old to have a serious chance at the job.
9. Mark Jackson
new york knicks
Credit: USA Today Sports
A longshot name floated by Knicks fans in recent days is former ESPN analyst Mark Jackson. He was a first-round pick for the Knicks in the 1980s and is a New York native. Furthermore, he was the man who built the infrastructure that would be the Golden State Warriors dynasty. He deserves another chance in the NBA. However, the fact that the opportunity has never come does not bode well for a chance at the Knicks job.
After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka ... More about Jason Burgos