Basketball

Is Mike Brown The Right Man For The Knicks' Head Coaching Job?

Published: Jul 2, 2025, 6:47 PM
5 min read
Updated: Jul 8, 2025, 8:22 AM
Fact checked by:
Sergey Demidov

Key Takeaways

  • The New York Knicks are expected to hire Mike Brown as their next head coach.
  • Brown is a well-respected figure across the league who has won four titles in his coaching career.
  • Can the 54-year-old be the man to guide the Knicks to a championship in 2026?
Mike Brown coaching Kings

Mike Brown coaching Kings (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The New York Knicks are expected to hire Mike Brown as their next head coach after an in-depth search over the past month following the firing of Tom Thibodeau. Brown has extensive experience in the Association and most recently led the Sacramento Kings to the playoffs in 2023, helping them end a 16-year postseason drought. However, the Kings surprisingly fired Brown early in the 2024–25 campaign after a poor start.

The Knicks attempted to interview numerous coaches for the vacancy but were denied by several teams. Ime Udoka and Jason Kidd were both on James Dolan’s radar, but the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks, respectively, were intent on keeping their head coaches.

It’s common knowledge that leading such a prestigious franchise with an ultra-passionate fanbase comes with its fair share of pressure. Brown, a two-time Coach of the Year, is no stranger to the big stage. He’s won four titles—mostly as an assistant coach.

Nevertheless, Brown brings grit, personability, and a hard-nosed coaching style to a franchise that desperately needs it after falling short of its title aspirations.

Mike Brown Has The Tools to Succeed in The Big Apple

The Knicks need a coach with a championship pedigree. Brown led LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in 2007. While they lost to the San Antonio Spurs, it highlighted Brown’s ability to get the best out of his players. Keep in mind that before he took over a LeBron-led Cavs team, Brown was Gregg Popovich’s top assistant during the Spurs’ dynasty years, winning a title with them in 2003.

Brown has coached a number of superstars: Tim Duncan, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, De’Aaron Fox, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginóbili, among others. Perhaps the Knicks don’t currently have players of that pedigree, but Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns are considered stars in today’s NBA.

Sure, Brown hasn’t led a team on his own to the Finals since 2007 with the Cavs. Most of his success in the league has come as an assistant. That said, having a coach with this level of experience is essential for a New York squad that has a real chance to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals next year.

Jayson Tatum will miss all of 2025–26 after tearing his Achilles. The Boston Celtics also just traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks lost Damian Lillard to the same injury and just waived the superstar, leaving a Giannis Antetokounmpo–Myles Turner duo to try to carry the East. Trade rumors involving Giannis are still circulating around the league.

The Knicks are considered favorites in the East in many circles. Brunson continues to develop into one of the league’s best. KAT is an elite big man who can do it all. Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges form a stellar supporting cast.

Brown is well-respected by players. He doesn’t tolerate nonsense, as we saw with the De’Aaron Fox situation last winter, which reportedly played a role in the Kings letting him go. Coaches across the league also deeply respect Brown. Don't forget when ex-Nuggets coach Michael Malone ripped Sacramento for firing his buddy:

"I'm not surprised that Mike Brown got fired, because I got fired by the same person," Malone said. "And what really pissed me off about it was the fact that they lost [Thursday] night, fifth game in a row, I believe. Tough loss. ... They had practiced this morning. He does his postgame media, and he's in his car going to the airport to fly to L.A. and they call him on the phone. No class, no balls. That's what I'll say about that."

Brown will hold every member of this Knicks roster accountable, and that’s exactly what the franchise needs if its Larry O’Brien Trophy dreams are going to become a reality.

Maybe Kidd and Udoka were the top options, but Brown is by no means a poor hire. In fact, he could flourish under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. The pressure shouldn’t faze him.

<p>Quinn is a seasoned sports journalist from Vancouver, Canada. He's an editor for RG, a betting analyst, and a regular writer for Gino Hard, an NHL website that covers all things hockey. Quinn was previously a senior editor for ClutchPoints for 4.5 years. He is an ex-athlete himself, having played college baseball in the United States in his younger years. Quinn is a Swiss Army knife and has covered most sports, including soccer, baseball, basketball, football, tennis, and more.</p>
Interests:
NHL
MLB
NBA
NFL
EPL
SerieA

NBA Writers

Mark Medina
Mark Medina
NBA Reporter

Mark Medina is a veteran NBA reporter with more than a decade of experience chronicling some of the league’s most iconic players, championship moments and behind-the-scenes developments. His coverage spans six NBA Finals (2010, 2018–2022), Kobe Bryant’s final five seasons (2012–2016) and the rise of the Golden State Warriors dynasty (2017–2019). His storytelling combines deep reporting, access and a focus on the human side of the game.

During the 2020 NBA bubble, Mark was one of the few journalists embedded on-site from July to September, reporting not just on the games but also on the league’s strict COVID-19 protocols and the players’ social justice activism. His January 2020 in-depth interview with Kobe Bryant, focused on Bryant’s post-retirement ventures in media and youth development, was one of the last before the basketball legend’s passing.

Throughout his career, Mark has conducted exclusive one-on-one interviews with basketball icons and influential figures, including Bryant, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Pau Gasol, Metta Sandiford-Artest, Steve Kerr, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jeanie Buss. Known for his enterprise reporting and nuanced features, Mark has developed a reputation for balanced, thoughtful journalism that explores both the athletic and cultural impact of the NBA.

📍 Based in: Los Angeles, USA

Meet All Our Experts

More RG Exclusive Interviews

Basketball
Opinion
Clippers Must be Considered Title Threats After Signing Chris Paul

The Los Angeles Clippers’ roster is looking stacked after signing Chris Paul, and they must be considered title contenders heading into 2025-26.

6
07/21/2025
Quinn Allen
Quinn Allen
Clippers Must be Considered Title Threats After Signing Chris Paul
Basketball
Interview
Shaq Praises Cooper Flagg, Gives Opinion on Rockets Trading For Durant

Shaquille O’Neal spoke to RG about Cooper Flagg’s development with the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets pulling off a blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant.

6
07/18/2025
DJ Siddiqi
DJ Siddiqi
Shaq Praises Cooper Flagg, Gives Opinion on Rockets Trading For Durant
Basketball
Analysis
CSE Holds Vegas Pro Day as Multiple Players Draw Interest From Teams

On Tuesday morning, basketball personnel came together to watch and observe free agents represented by CSE who are looking for their next stop.

5
07/17/2025
Spencer Davies
Spencer Davies
CSE Holds Vegas Pro Day as Multiple Players Draw Interest From Teams
Basketball
News Report
Victor Oladipo Makes NBA Comeback Push With Impressive Vegas Workouts

Victor Oladipo impressed teams in Las Vegas with explosive 5-on-5 play as he eyes an NBA return during Summer League.

4
07/15/2025
Grant Afseth
Grant Afseth
Victor Oladipo Makes NBA Comeback Push With Impressive Vegas Workouts
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Read our
Privacy Policy
.