The New York Knicks coaching search has been a rollercoaster ride. Currently, Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins are being floated as the two primary candidates to fill the void left by Tom Thibodeau.
Former Knicks big man DeAndre Jordan has a different opinion, though. Speaking on a recent episode of FanDuel TV’s “Run it Back,” the veteran lob threat pinpointed Mike Malone as the ideal person to take over the Knicks.
“It would make sense,” Jordan said. “Being up there from New York area and that swagger, that competitive nature that he has paired up with those guys could be a really good situation. I think he’s a breath of fresh air at times. And, I guess that’s what those guys need right now in the moment. He’s proven he can win a championship, especially with good players in the system…I think they could really do something. Especially with him being the best coach out there that they can actually hire.”
Malone was released by the Denver Nuggets toward the end of the 2024-25 season. He is a proven winner. By putting him on the Knicks’ hot seat, New York would be getting a highly respected head coach, capable of implementing a new culture and building on Thibodeau’s hard work.
Mike Brown Could Also Improve the Knicks
In a recent article by James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, Mike Brown was floated as a strong coaching target.
“For me, it’s Mike Brown. He crafted some intricate and fun offenses over his time in Sacramento, and while personnel plays a part in that, I do think he’s learned enough along the way to adjust to a different roster with the Knicks. The most important thing New York should be looking for is someone who can maximize this offense. … Too often, this group was stagnant and predictable. There needs to be a little more juice offensively going forward,” the beat writer said. “Brown is the best candidate, in my opinion, to maximize this offense and help usher in different looks.”
Brown enjoyed a solid run with the Sacramento Kings. Nevertheless, his tenure with the franchise was cut short. Therefore, he would be an easy addition to New York’s roster. Just like Malone, he is a free agent and available to get to work right away.
Knicks Could Still Target Jason Kidd
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the pathway to hiring Jason Kidd isn’t completely closed, either. The Dallas Mavericks recently rejected New York’s request to speak with the highly respected head coach.
“The door is not completely closed on the Knicks and Jason Kidd, per people familiar with the dynamic in Dallas,” Begley reported on Monday, June 16. “Other outlets reported as recently as last week that Kidd was still a possibility, and that remains the case as of Monday.”
It would appear that New York has multiple high-level coaching options to choose from. Being patient and performing due diligence is the smart approach. However, the Knicks shouldn’t take too long to make their choice.
Whoever is given the role will need time to plan for the 2025-26 season, and that also means the upcoming free agency period. This summer could be a key point in Knicks history. The front office will be under pressure to get the coaching decision right.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Former Knicks Big Man Dishes on Ideal Tom Thibodeau Successor appeared first on Heavy Sports.