According to multiple reports, after a month of missed swings and a handful of spicy Shams tweets, it looks like the New York Knicks are closing in on their next head coach: Mike Brown is expected to be headed to Madison Square Garden.
After striking out on Jason Kidd, Chris Finch, and Ime Udoka, the Knicks locked in their man—an experienced, defense-first leader with a deep playoff résumé and a no-nonsense approach that could fit well in the Thibodeau-sized shadow he’ll be stepping into.
Brown most recently ran the show in Sacramento, where he helped end the Kings’ 17-year playoff drought and even earned Coach of the Year honors in 2023. But his stint there hit a wall early last season. The Kings stumbled to a 13–18 start, and Brown was dismissed before Christmas—a surprising turn after such a strong first impression.
Still, his full coaching track record speaks for itself: 455 wins to 304 losses, seven playoff trips in nine seasons, and a 2007 NBA Finals appearance with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. He’s seen plenty—both success and flameouts—and has worked in markets that don’t shy from pressure, including his brief stint with the Lakers.
Brown is widely regarded as a defensive-minded coach, and while Sacramento’s defensive numbers never screamed “elite,” the underlying schemes showed promise. He emphasizes structure, effort, and accountability—buzzwords that have defined the Knicks’ recent identity under Tom Thibodeau. The hire isn’t so much a reinvention as it is a recalibration.
One key piece of continuity will likely remain: Rick Brunson is expected to return as lead assistant. The rest of the staff is still up in the air, though most of last year’s assistants are under contract and, according to league sources, will at least be considered by Brown as he builds his bench.
The timing of this hire is intriguing. With the Celtics and Pacers both staring down the barrel of significant roster setbacks—Jayson Tatum‘s Achilles injury and Tyrese Haliburton‘s in Indiana—the Eastern Conference looks a little more open than usual. Alongside Cleveland, New York has a real chance to seize the moment. The window is cracked.
Brown steps into that opportunity. The Knicks aren’t just trying to keep the playoff train on the tracks—they want to reach the next stop: the Finals. That’s the expectation now, fair or not. And Brown, once LeBron’s guiding hand, now has Jalen Brunson and a hungry squad with unfinished business.
Time will tell if he’s the right fit. But after a month of whiffs and whispers, the Knicks might just have their man—and the clock starts ticking.
rady
KnicksOnline.com founder. Software tester by day time, sports shooter by free time. Rocking with the orange and blue since the mid 90s.