Knicks’ Coaching Search Heats Up Amidst Draft and Free Agency
The Coaching Carousel: Knicks Seek New Leader
The New York Knicks’ quest to find a new head coach is intensifying. This search is happening right before the NBA Draft and free agency begin. The team is looking for a replacement for Tom Thibodeau, who was dismissed about three weeks ago.
The Knicks are the only team in the league with a vacant head coaching position, allowing them to conduct a thorough search without competition. Interviews with potential candidates took place last week.
Frontrunners Emerge
Former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins and ex-Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown have both interviewed with the Knicks. Both candidates gave strong performances, according to sources. Jenkins had a 250-214 record in six seasons with the Grizzlies.
James Borrego is another possible candidate. Sources indicate the Knicks might talk with him. Borrego is known in the league for his offensive strategies and analytics-based approach. He was an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans last season.
Borrego was the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets from 2018 to 2022. He took the struggling team to a 43-win season before being let go. Since 2005, the Hornets have only achieved 40 or more regular-season wins four times, including Borrego’s final season.
The Jason Kidd Conundrum
Another situation the Knicks are monitoring involves Jason Kidd, the Dallas Mavericks’ head coach. Though unlikely to join the Knicks, Kidd has not agreed to an extension with the Mavericks, unlike other coaches the Knicks initially considered.
The Knicks contacted the Houston Rockets to speak with Ime Udoka and the Chicago Bulls to talk with Billy Donovan. Udoka extended his contract with the Rockets. Reports indicate Donovan and the Bulls are working on a contract extension.
No news regarding Kidd and an extension with the Mavericks has surfaced. The Mavericks did not extend the contracts of Kidd’s assistants after reaching the Western Conference finals. Kidd is set to lose Sean Sweeney to the San Antonio Spurs. Other Mavericks assistants are also drawing interest from other teams. These factors keep the Kidd-to-Knicks possibility alive.
Looking Ahead
The Knicks do not need a head coach by Wednesday’s NBA Draft, where they have the No. 50 pick. Ideally, having a coach in place before free agency begins next week would be advantageous for the Knicks. The fact that they don’t have one could mean the core roster remains intact.
The team can continue its search for Thibodeau’s replacement at their own pace.