Knicks Head Coach Search: Michael Malone, Jay Wright, Mike Brown, and More in the Running
The New York Knicks are in search of a new head coach following the dismissal of Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday, after a season that saw them reach the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000. With one of the most coveted jobs in the NBA now available, who will take Thibodeau's place? Here's a look at some initial candidates for the Knicks.
Malone led the Nuggets to an NBA title just two years ago while turning the franchise into a powerhouse in the Western Conference. He's like Thibodeau in a lot of ways, just more successful, and the Nuggets' roster he was working with was built around a star guard-center duo, which sounds like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Malone could, at least on paper, step in and keep this Knicks team on the same trajectory.
Jay Wright - Last job: Villanova head coach
Wright won two national championships and reached the Final Four four times at Villanova, including with Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges on his roster. He’s already proven he can lead that trio to a title. But again, Wright’s desire for the job has to be there.
Mike Brown - Last job: Sacramento Kings head coach
Brown was seemingly fired prematurely when the Sacramento Kings parted with him earlier this season. He led the Kings to their first playoff appearance in 17 seasons in his first campaign with the franchise, and he also got the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals. Brown will be working again as a head coach in the near future, and the Knicks should absolutely reach out.
Johnnie Bryant - Last job: Cleveland Cavaliers assistant
Bryant is already a finalist for the open job in Phoenix, and he spent four seasons on staff with the Knicks before landing his current spot with the Cavaliers. If the Knicks want to go this route, and they can beat out the Suns, Bryant would be a tremendous hire.
Mid Tier Candidates: Jenkins, Budenholzer, Vogel, Cassell
- Taylor Jenkins - Last job: Memphis Grizzlies head coach Jenkins was great in Memphis (when the team was healthy), and he's one of the best head coaches still on the market. He's known for running a faster offense and developing younger rosters, neither of which the Knicks have at this point, but there's no doubt Jenkins can coach.
- Mike Budenholzer - Last job: Phoenix Suns head coach Budenholzer won an NBA title in the last half-decade and is a two-time coach of the year. Even with how badly things went for him with the Suns, he wouldn't be a bad hire.
- Frank Vogel - Last job: Phoenix Suns head coach Like Budenholzer, Vogel got only a single season leading the Suns before he was fired. That came after a very short run with the Los Angeles Lakers, though he and LeBron James won a championship there early on. If Budenholzer is going to get a look, Vogel probably should too.
