The New York Knicks didn't have a plan in place when they fired Tom Thibodeau, did they?
New York axed Thibodeau just three days after a 125-108 Game 6 loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks' deepest playoff run in 25 years.
Despite a 226-174 regular-season record and four postseason appearances in five seasons, Thibodeau faced criticism for heavy starter minutes, slow adjustments, and underutilizing young talent, prompting owner James Dolan and president Leon Rose to seek a new voice.
With a roster led by superstar Jalen Brunson and championship aspirations, the Knicks’ coaching search has become a high-stakes endeavor full of many roadblocks.
The Knicks initially targeted high-profile coaches under contract, including Dallas’ Jason Kidd, Houston’s Ime Udoka, Minnesota’s Chris Finch, Atlanta’s Quin Snyder, and Chicago’s Billy Donovan. Each request for permission to interview was denied, however, leaving New York scrambling.
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According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, "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. But Brown, in particular, profiles as an interesting option given the complicated nature of the Knicks’ inner circle.”
Brown, fired by the Kings midway through the 2024-25 season, would bring a wealth of experience to the Knicks. He led the Kings to the playoffs in 2023, their first appearance since 2006, and coached LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2007 NBA Finals. His prior interview with the Knicks in 2020 reportedly left a strong impression, and he has ties to Knicks executive vice president William “Worldwide Wes” Wesley.
Jenkins, dismissed by the Memphis Grizzlies with weeks left in the 2024-25 season, is the franchise’s all-time wins leader, having guided a young roster to two No. 2 seeds in the Western Conference. His fast-paced, player-development-focused approach earned him a strong reputation around the league, and most feel that he was unfairly fired.
While both coaches are compelling, Jenkins stands out as the better fit for the Knicks. At 40, Jenkins brings a youthful, adaptable energy that aligns with New York’s dynamic roster. His success in Memphis, where he developed stars like Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, suggests he can maximize guys like Brunson and Bridges while fostering chemistry with Towns.
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