Mike Brown is still looking for a veteran coach to be his lead assistant with the New York Knicks.
After trying and failing to add veteran assistants who were former coaches, Jay Triano (Dallas Mavericks) and Darvin Ham (Milwaukee Bucks), you can Terry Stotts to that list, according to SNY’s Ian Begley.
Stotts will remain with the Golden State Warriors, Begley reported on July 22.
“You can take GSW’s Terry Stotts off of any speculative list of candidates for Mike Brown’s coaching staff. Per league sources familiar with the matter, Stotts doesn’t plan on going anywhere, will be back with the Warriors in 2025-26,” Begley wrote on X.
Stotts had just finished his first season as Kerr’s lead assistant with the Warriors. The 67-year-old Stotts was the former head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers from 2012 to 2021, guiding them to the Western Conference Finals during the 2018-19 season only to get swept by the Warriors.
Begley added that he is not privy to Stotts being a candidate to join Brown’s coaching staff. But the latest intel makes Stotts unlikely to land in New York even if the Knicks pursue him.
Ex-Knick Eyed to Join Mike Brown’s Staff
Meanwhile, the Knicks received permission from the Minnesota Timberwolves to speak with their assistant coach Pablo Prigioni.
“A move to New York would presumably be a promotion for Prigioni,” Begley wrote. And he adds that it’s “logical to assume” there is mutual interest between Prigioni and the Knicks.
Prigioni started his NBA career with the Knicks as the oldest rookie in NBA history at 35 during the 2012-13 season. He was a crowd favorite for his gusty plays and toughness that earned him a promotion to the starting unit during that season’s playoff run.
According to Begley, the Knicks are looking to add at least one assistant to Brown’s staff, which will be comprised largely of holdovers from Tom Thibodeau’s.
Rick Brunson, father of Knicks star Jalen Brunson, will remain, but is not expected to resume being the lead assistant, per New York Post’s Stefan Bondy. The other holdovers are Maurice Cheeks, Mark Bryant and Darren Erman. Andy Greer and Daisuke Yoshimoto, longtime Thibodeau assistants, are not expected to come back.
Josh Hart Excited To Be Reunited With Jordan Clarkson
Getty Jordan Clarkson will bring scoring punch to the New York Knicks bench.
The Knicks fortified their bench, picking up French forward Guerschon Yabusele and former Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson in free agency.
Josh Hart welcomed their addition, especially Clarkson, who was his teammate with the Los Angeles Lakers during his rookie year.
“I was excited, “ Hart said of Brown on “The Roommates Show” on July 17. I mean, great dude, gonna fit right into the culture that we have, obviously, something that can create his own shot.
“[Clarkson] can break down the defense, and we needed at times, you know, last year. So it would be a great addition in terms of role. And also as a locker room guy.”
Clarkson signed for the veteran minimum after reaching a buyout with the Utah Jazz, which makes his addition to the Knicks more impressive from a value standpoint.
The 32-year-old Filipino-American guard averaged 16.2 points and 3.7 assists off the bench for the Jazz last season. He also shot 36.2% from the 3-point line.
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