Key Takeaways
- The New York Knicks are expected to hire Mike Brown as their next head coach.
- Brown is a well-respected figure across the league who has won four titles in his coaching career.
- Can the 54-year-old be the man to guide the Knicks to a championship in 2026?
Mike Brown coaching Kings (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The New York Knicks are expected to hire Mike Brown as their next head coach after an in-depth search over the past month following the firing of Tom Thibodeau. Brown has extensive experience in the Association and most recently led the Sacramento Kings to the playoffs in 2023, helping them end a 16-year postseason drought. However, the Kings surprisingly fired Brown early in the 2024–25 campaign after a poor start.
The Knicks attempted to interview numerous coaches for the vacancy but were denied by several teams. Ime Udoka and Jason Kidd were both on James Dolan’s radar, but the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks, respectively, were intent on keeping their head coaches.
It’s common knowledge that leading such a prestigious franchise with an ultra-passionate fanbase comes with its fair share of pressure. Brown, a two-time Coach of the Year, is no stranger to the big stage. He’s won four titles—mostly as an assistant coach.
Nevertheless, Brown brings grit, personability, and a hard-nosed coaching style to a franchise that desperately needs it after falling short of its title aspirations.
Mike Brown Has The Tools to Succeed in The Big Apple
The Knicks need a coach with a championship pedigree. Brown led LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in 2007. While they lost to the San Antonio Spurs, it highlighted Brown’s ability to get the best out of his players. Keep in mind that before he took over a LeBron-led Cavs team, Brown was Gregg Popovich’s top assistant during the Spurs’ dynasty years, winning a title with them in 2003.
Brown has coached a number of superstars: Tim Duncan, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, De’Aaron Fox, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginóbili, among others. Perhaps the Knicks don’t currently have players of that pedigree, but Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns are considered stars in today’s NBA.
Sure, Brown hasn’t led a team on his own to the Finals since 2007 with the Cavs. Most of his success in the league has come as an assistant. That said, having a coach with this level of experience is essential for a New York squad that has a real chance to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals next year.
Jayson Tatum will miss all of 2025–26 after tearing his Achilles. The Boston Celtics also just traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks lost Damian Lillard to the same injury and just waived the superstar, leaving a Giannis Antetokounmpo–Myles Turner duo to try to carry the East. Trade rumors involving Giannis are still circulating around the league.
The Knicks are considered favorites in the East in many circles. Brunson continues to develop into one of the league’s best. KAT is an elite big man who can do it all. Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges form a stellar supporting cast.
Brown is well-respected by players. He doesn’t tolerate nonsense, as we saw with the De’Aaron Fox situation last winter, which reportedly played a role in the Kings letting him go. Coaches across the league also deeply respect Brown. Don't forget when ex-Nuggets coach Michael Malone ripped Sacramento for firing his buddy:
Brown will hold every member of this Knicks roster accountable, and that’s exactly what the franchise needs if its Larry O’Brien Trophy dreams are going to become a reality.
Maybe Kidd and Udoka were the top options, but Brown is by no means a poor hire. In fact, he could flourish under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. The pressure shouldn’t faze him.
