While many saw the playoff run as a sign of continued progress, Knicks management made a stunning decision to part ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau after five seasons. Thibodeau was widely credited with helping restore the franchise to relevance and building a strong foundation for the future.
Now, as the Knicks enter a pivotal offseason, the search is on for their next head coach—a task that’s expected to draw significant attention, given the team’s momentum and championship aspirations.
On Thursday, NBA legend Charles Barkley appeared on "The Next Round" show and was asked if he’d ever consider coaching the Knicks. Barkley didn’t hesitate in his response.
"No, I would not like to coach the New York Knicks," Barkley said. "First of all, everybody was shocked... I think people were shocked. No. 1, it's a really good job—it's the New York Knicks. New York is a special place, and if you get a chance, especially when they’ve got a good team, it’s incredible."
Several names have already surfaced as potential candidates for the Knicks’ head coaching vacancy. Among them are current Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, Mike Brown, Luke Walton, and Johnnie Bryant.
There has even been speculation around former Villanova head coach Jay Wright—who played a key role in developing Knicks stars Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges. However, Wright remains retired, and there’s been no concrete indication that he’s interested in returning to coaching at this time.
New York Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns
New York Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns
© Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Regardless, this hire is critical. If you're going to make the bold move of parting ways with a coach like Tom Thibodeau—who led the team to multiple playoff appearances and steady improvement year over year—you cannot afford to swing and miss.