NEW YORK (PIX11) — The New York Knicks are expected to hire former Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown, according to ESPN.
Brown was fired by the Kings in December after the team had gotten off to a subpar start to the season. In 2023, Brown led Sacramento to the playoffs for the first time in 16 seasons — the longest playoff drought in NBA history.
Brown was the only coach the Knicks interviewed multiple times as the team searched for Tom Thibodeau’s replacement, ESPN reported.
Brown is a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, receiving the honor in 2009 with the Cleveland Cavaliers and again in 2023 with Sacramento. In 2007, he led Cleveland and LeBron James to the NBA Finals, where his team lost to the San Antonio Spurs in four games.
The Knicks also interviewed former Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins, New Orleans Pelicans associate coach James Borrego and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori after being denied permission to speak with five other coaches around the league, according to ESPN.
The Knicks have not reached the NBA Finals since 1999 and haven’t won a championship since 1973.
Spencer Gustafson is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered New York state and city news since 2023. See more of his work here.
