The 2025 NBA free agency period is officially underway and the New York Knicks still have not picked a new head coach to lead the way. After firing Tom Thibodeau, the search for his replacement has not gone smoothly.
While the Knicks requested quite a few interviews with current NBA head coaches, they were quickly turned down by those teams. That set the search back a bit, but New York has continued pushing forward with a few candidates.
One of the most notable candidates for the job as of right now is none other than Mike Brown.
Brown has been a head coach in three different stops. He was the lead man for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005-06 to 2009-10, the Los Angeles Lakers from 2011-12 to 2012-13, the Cavaliers again in 2013-14, and the Sacramento Kings from 2022-23 to 2024-25.
Throughout his tenure as a head coach, Brown has compiled a 454-304 record. He has made the playoffs in seven seasons.
After Brown was brought back for a second interview with the Knicks, it seems he's the front-runner to land the job. Now, a new update has been given on the search.
According to a report from longtime NBA insider Marc Stein, New York's interest in hiring Brown to be its new head coach has indeed intensified.
"The Knicks' interest in hiring Mike Brown as their new coach has indeed intensified, league sources say," Stein wrote. "One scenario that has emerged: New York installing James Borrego as top assistant if Brown is the ultimate choice."
So far in free agency, the Knicks have made one big addition to improve the second unit. Jordan Clarkson is planning to sign with New York once he clears waivers after agreeing to a buyout with the Utah Jazz.
If Brown is hired by the Knicks, he will bring a major philosophy change. Thibodeau relied far too heavily on his starting lineup. He did not play the bench much at all, which is something Brown does do much more often.
To that end, New York will need to continue focusing on improving the bench throughout the rest of the offseason.
Expect to hear more on the Knicks' coaching job in the near future. Brown seems to be a good bet to be the guy at this point in time.
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