Staff Writer | July 2, 2025
NEW YORK — The New York Knicks have offered Mike Brown their head coaching position and are finalizing a deal with the veteran coach, league sources told The Athletic on Wednesday.
Brown will become the franchise’s 32nd head coach, replacing Tom Thibodeau, who was dismissed despite leading New York to its first Eastern Conference finals in 25 years.
Championship Pedigree
The Knicks identified Brown as an early frontrunner due to his extensive championship experience. The 55-year-old coach has been part of four NBA title-winning teams as an assistant or associate head coach and brings over a decade of head coaching experience to Madison Square Garden.
Brown’s résumé includes a 454-304 regular season record across stints in Cleveland, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. He guided the 2006-07 Cavaliers and LeBron James to the NBA Finals and later served under Steve Kerr during Golden State’s championship run, working with elite talent including Stephen Curry, Andre Iguodala, and even the late Kobe Bryant while in LA.
Sacramento Success
Brown’s most recent head coaching role with the Sacramento Kings highlighted his ability to transform franchises. He helped end the Kings’ 16-year playoff drought in his first season and delivered consecutive 45-plus-win campaigns for the first time since 2005. Despite his dismissal after a difficult start to the 2024-25 season, his Sacramento tenure is considered successful.
Win-Now Roster
The hiring comes as the Knicks enter a championship window with All-Star guard Jalen Brunson and newly acquired Karl-Anthony Towns leading the roster. Team executives believe Brown’s experience coaching superstar talent makes him ideal for managing the pressure of leading a franchise seeking its first title since 1973.
Under Thibodeau, New York established itself as one of the Eastern Conference’s premier defensive teams. Brown must maintain that identity while maximizing the offensive potential of a playoff-caliber roster.
Staff Additions
New York is reportedly pursuing James Borrego, associate head coach for the New Orleans Pelicans, as Brown’s lead assistant. The Knicks previously sought to interview Borrego for the head coaching position, though New Orleans appears reluctant to release him.
Championship Expectations
Brown’s coaching philosophy, developed under Gregg Popovich and refined through years of playoff experience, now faces the ultimate test in New York. The city and fanbase demand excellence, and the Knicks aren’t simply building on recent success — they’re targeting a championship.
The franchise’s aggressive pursuit of Brown signals clear intent: New York is ready to compete at the highest level. But we must wait, as the final decision belongs to Jim Dolan.
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