The long, monotonous coaching search for the New York Knicks finally concluded last week, with the team hiring two-time Coach of the Year Mike Brown.
Brown was previously the head coach of the Sacramento Kings, who fired him last season after a 13-18 start. He has also coached the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and been an assistant for the Golden State Warriors. Brown has a career coaching record of 454-304.
On July 5, details emerged regarding Brown’s contract figures with the Knicks. Per SNY’s Ian Begley, Brown and the Knicks agreed to a four-year, $40 million deal. Meanwhile, Tom Thibodeau is still owed $30 million on his contract, meaning that the Knicks will be pay $70 million in head coaching salaries over the next four years.
Additionally, a majority of the money owed to Brown by the Kings is now expected to be offset in the wake of the Knicks hiring Brown, per Begley.
Brown will be held to a very high standard right away in New York. Last season, the team earned their second consecutive 50-win season, and reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.
With the Eastern Conference appearing significantly weaker next season due to Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, free agent guard Damian Lillard, and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton all suffering achilles tears, anything less than an appearance in the NBA Finals could be seen as a shortcoming in Brown’s first season with the Knicks.