The New York Knicks are coming off their greatest season in 25 years. They’d two All-NBA gamers in Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Cities. They got here inside two wins of constructing the NBA Finals.
However now, they want a brand new head coach.
Tom Thibodeau was fired Tuesday after 5 seasons with the workforce, stunning many followers after he led the Knicks to their first Jap Convention Finals look since 2000. He went 226-174 with New York, making the playoffs 4 occasions after the workforce had 4 postseason berths within the prior 19 years mixed.
So, who might the Knicks rent subsequent because the workforce goals to win its first title since 1973? The core of the roster stays in place, with Brunson, Cities and their top-seven rotation gamers all underneath contract for subsequent season.
With that in thoughts, listed here are 5 potential candidates to exchange Thibodeau:
Michael Malone, former Denver Nuggets head coach
Earlier work: Malone’s resume speaks for itself — he led the Nuggets to a title in 2023 and compiled a 471-327 document over 10 seasons in Denver. All of it ended this yr, although, together with his beautiful April firing simply earlier than the playoffs. Malone additionally spent two seasons because the Sacramento Kings head coach. Plus, he has deep New York ties as a Queens native and Knicks assistant from 2001-05.
Future work: At 53 years outdated, it is extraordinarily probably that Malone is not accomplished teaching. His latest championship ought to get him a job briefly order, particularly for a workforce just like the Knicks that believes it has a title window open. Whether or not or not they really do is a distinct query — one which Malone must reply for himself.
Johnnie Bryant, Cleveland Cavaliers affiliate head coach
Earlier work: Regardless of teaching for the Cavaliers underneath Kenny Atkinson final season, Bryant is most identified for his work with the Knicks. He was Thibodeau’s affiliate head coach from 2020-24. Whereas Bryant has by no means been a head coach within the NBA, his years of familiarity with these Knicks gamers might give him a bonus.
Future work: It is wanting an increasing number of probably that Bryant may very well be one-and-done in Cleveland. He was one of many two finalists for the Phoenix Suns’ head teaching job, earlier than the workforce employed Jordan Ott on Wednesday. Now, the Knicks determine to pursue him. Bryant, at simply 39 years outdated, has all of the makings of an NBA head coach — and within the very close to future.
Dan Hurley, UConn head coach
Earlier work: The historic Hurley household is revered in New Jersey basketball, from Corridor of Fame father Bob teaching in highschool to Dan and his brother Bobby taking part in for him. This may characterize a homecoming for Hurley, who has received two nationwide titles since changing into UConn’s head coach in 2018. He was within the combine for the Los Angeles Lakers’ job final summer time earlier than opting to return to Connecticut to chase a three-peat.
Future work: If there’s an NBA job that Hurley would truly go away UConn for, it is most likely this one. A part of his determination to remain in school final yr got here all the way down to his household, which prefers being within the tristate space. A transfer from Storrs to Manhattan would get his household even nearer to New Jersey, however it might clearly supply much less job safety than he is amassed at UConn.
Listed here are 5 issues to find out about College of Connecticut basketball coach Dan Hurley.
Jay Wright, former Villanova head coach
Earlier work: Wright’s greatest days because the Villanova head coach have been with three of the Knicks’ greatest gamers main the best way. Brunson and Mikal Bridges led Wright’s Wildcats to 2 nationwide titles (2016, 2018), and Josh Hart performed a number one position within the first championship. Wright, now 63 years outdated, retired from teaching in 2022 after going 520-197 over 21 seasons with Villanova.
Future work: It is unclear if Wright would ever get again on the sidelines once more. He is turned down all rumors of curiosity in job openings during the last three years, as an alternative working as a TV analyst for CBS and TNT. Wright has by no means coached within the NBA, however a job like this — working together with his former gamers and an opportunity to win a championship — may be capable to coax him out of retirement.
Jeff Van Gundy, Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach
Earlier work: Youthful basketball followers know Van Gundy for his rants on ESPN broadcasts, however he had a protracted teaching profession earlier than his years calling the NBA Finals. He spent a lot of his childhood in New York, then coached as an assistant for close by Rutgers (1988-89) and the Knicks (1989-96). Van Gundy was promoted to Knicks head coach in 1996, main them to the NBA Finals in 1999 earlier than his sudden resignation in 2001. Final season, Van Gundy returned to the bench because the Los Angeles Clippers’ lead assistant.
Future work: Van Gundy clearly aspires to be a head coach once more — why else would he grow to be a lead assistant? At 63 years outdated (4 years youthful than Thibodeau), he probably nonetheless has a while to get again to the large seat. The Knicks rekindling the connection could be stunning, however you may’t rule it out.
