6 potential candidates to replace Tom Thibodeau as Knicks coach
Jay Wright speaks at a news conference about his resignation as Villanova men's basketball coach on April 22, 2022, in Villanova, Pa. Credit: AP/Matt Rourke
Mike Malone
Has there ever been a more perfect fit? Malone grew up in the Knicks organization, an assistant coach — a role his father Brendan held in the organization, too — and ascended to head coaching jobs in Sacramento and then in Denver. And with the Nuggets he spent 10 seasons, winning a championship two years ago. But he was let go in a clash with the front office with three games left in the season this year. Outspoken coaches who clash with team executives isn't usually a good fit with the Knicks, no matter how perfect they are.
Taylor Jenkins
The most alluring aspect of this former coach of the year is that he did a very good job of developing young talent in Memphis and winning with different combinations, other than the 2023-24 season when nearly the entire team was hurt or suspended. Jenkins was let go by the Grizzlies with nine games left in the season, which seemed odd until Denver made that look reasonable.
Jeff Van Gundy
Could there be a reunion? Maybe unlikely after Van Gundy walked off the job in 2001, which marked the end of a great era of Knicks basketball. . But he got back on the sidelines this year running the defense for the L.A. Clippers and one scout told me early in the year, “Van Gundy should be voted MVP.”
Johnnie Bryant
He left the Knicks before this season to serve as associate head coach in Cleveland under Kenny Atkinson and is a finalist for the Phoenix Suns job — although a source indicated that Jordan Ott is likely to land that job.
Sean Sweeney
If the Knicks were willing to go with someone who has never had a head coaching job, Sweeney is one of the most highly regarded assistants, now with the Dallas Mavericks. And while we’re talking about Dallas coaches, maybe don’t rule out Jason Kidd, who finished his playing career with the Knicks and took the Mavs to a Western Conference championship in 2023-24 before things went haywire in Dallas this season.
Jay Wright
His name always floats around the Knicks after a trio of his former players on Villanova championship teams led the team last season and then a slightly altered trio again were keys to this season’s success in New York. But every indication is that he will not coach again and definitely not in the NBA — although the money the Knicks can offer sometimes changes “never,” as in the case of Phil Jackson serving as team president.
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
