Perhaps the hottest story in basketball outside of the NBA Finals is the New York Knicks’ coaching search. After firing Tom Thibodeau last week, sparking controversy around the league, New York is under pressure to nail their next hire. One of the main reasons their surprising decision was controversial was the lack of obvious available coaching candidates to replace Thibs. If NY was going to willingly let go of an established, veteran headman, they better have had a plan for his successor, right?
Well, after the Knicks were “firmly denied” in their requests to speak with four active coaches, things are getting uneasy in NYC. However, this was to be expected, and Leon Rose always seems to have a plan. Knicks fans shouldn’t panic.
Knicks’ Coaching Requests Were Always a Pipe Dream
New York has now been denied access to four head coaches around the league. Chris Finch of the Timberwolves, Ime Udoka of the Rockets, Jason Kidd of the Mavericks, and Quin Snyder of the Hawks were all protected by their respective franchises. While the denials make for a concerning headline, this outcome was expected. Why would any of these organizations let their guy speak with other teams if they don’t have to?
Rumors were circulating that NY took a shot at Kidd for the Giannis Antetokounmpo connection in case the superstar became available. Finch and Udoka are coming off extremely successful seasons and are well-respected around the league. Snyder has been a good coach in the league for a decade. The Knicks knew there was no harm in trying to pry these established coaches away from their teams, but it was always a long shot. Now, unless something changes, they can turn their attention to the next group of options.
Other Options
Currently, it appears that New York is focused on a couple of former coaches. Mike Brown (Kings HC, 2023-2025) and Taylor Jenkins (Grizzlies HC, 2020-2025) were fired during this past season. However, both enjoyed success in their respective tenures. Brown went 107-88 (.549) over three years in Sacramento, leading the Kings to their first playoff birth in 17 seasons. Jenkins was 250-214 (.539) in six seasons in Memphis, notching four playoff appearances and a playoff series victory.
“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).”
–@sam_amick on the Knicks coaching search
(https://t.co/nefGNJhmPK) pic.twitter.com/d56RNZ3t6h
— Let’s Talk Knicks (LTK) (@LetsTalkKnicks_) June 12, 2025
Although it ended poorly for both of these men in their last job, each of them deserves credit for their contribution to pulling struggling franchises out of the gutter. In the sixteen seasons between their last playoff berth and Mike Brown’s hiring, Sacramento was an astonishing 467-809. Brown helped bring them back to respectability as a franchise. In the two years preceding Jenkins, Memphis was 55-109. Similar to Thibodeau leaving the Knicks far better off than when he joined, both of these coaches improved their teams.
It might feel like a lateral move to go from Thibodeau to Brown or Jenkins. However, even if it is, New York desperately needed a new voice in the locker room. Other options for the Knicks include former assistant Johnnie Bryant and veteran coaches such as Mike Budenholzer or Michael Malone. It seems unlikely that any of these candidates will be hired, because it’s unclear what the Knicks’ plan is.
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