As the New York Knicks continue their search for a new head coach after firing Tom Thibodeau — and after being denied permission to speak to another team’s head coach at least five times — league sources say they are focused on two names in particular who don’t require permission to pursue: Mike Brown (last with the Sacramento Kings) and Taylor Jenkins (formerly of the Memphis Grizzlies).
More names could emerge soon, as a league source stated that the Knicks plan to finalize the list in the coming days.
Brown profiles as an interesting option, as he has a close relationship with Knicks executive vice president William Wesley (aka “Worldwide Wes”) that dates back to the mid-2000s when Brown was coaching LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers (Wesley, at that time, was a league-wide power broker and one of James’ primary confidantes).
Brown, 55, interviewed for the Knicks position in 2020 before Thibodeau was hired. While he didn’t get the job at the time, with some believing Thibodeau had already been deemed the unofficial choice by the time Brown’s interview took place, league sources say he left a strong impression. He was hired by the Kings two summers later and went on to deliver the franchise’s best two-year stretch in almost two decades before getting fired midway through this season.
Jenkins, 40, became the Grizzlies’ all-time leader in wins during his six seasons. He was fired with just a few weeks left in the regular season and replaced by assistant coach Tuomas Iisalo after a stretch in which Memphis lost 13 of 22 games entering the postseason. His glowing reputation, it’s safe to say, remains intact.
The Knicks fired Thibodeau, the franchise’s winningest coach this century, after leading them to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years.
(Photo of Mike Brown: Lachlan Cunningham / Getty Images)
