Knicks' high bar for next coach a mark above Tom Thibodeau's success
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo gestures in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The dust has begun to clear on the Knicks’ decision to fire Tom Thibodeau after his five seasons raising the bar on the franchise. And with the coach gone and the blame being pushed out — some players reportedly spoke ill of him in exit interviews — the next step is to find Thibodeau’s successor.
As the Knicks embark on their search for a new coach — the oddest part being that they would make a drastic move like this without knowing who will replace him — there is more than just finding a coach with the desired qualifications, a coach who fills in the blanks that management found lacking in Thibodeau.
The other side of it is convincing the potential new coach that what he is entering into is worth the risk and aggravation.
Start with the bar set for the next coach: Four postseason berths in five seasons wasn’t enough. A total of 51 wins in the regular season with a second-round ouster of the defending champion Celtics wasn’t enough. Reaching the Eastern Conference finals wasn’t enough. So the Knicks have set the expectations at the NBA Finals — and maybe winning it is the only satisfactory result.
And now another question: What exactly is the prospective coach walking into as a roster? Was this really a team with the ability to go deeper into the postseason than it did? Or did Thibodeau squeeze every win possible out of a roster with talent and flaws? And is this roster coming back with the core pieces intact?
Early in the season, when talking about the all-in approach with the acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges as well as the signing of OG Anunoby, a team executive pointed out that there is always a way to make a deal. And I believed him, having seen the team move to shred salary for the signing of Jalen Brunson, then moving contracts to make the Towns trade feasible.
So when I see the stories about Giannis Antetokounmpo possibly seeking a trade from Milwaukee this summer or Kevin Durant on the way out in Phoenix, it’s wise to not dismiss the Knicks as a suitor. But it’s hard to assess moves, for a star or even for a role player, without knowing who is in charge. Will the coach seek to play a style similar to what got the Knicks this far under Thibodeau, or will there be a makeover of the offense and defense?
No matter the coach, neophyte or experienced, they aren’t saying no to adding more star power. So the decision, like the coaching hire, is up to the front office, the same one that made the moves last summer. They are the ones who must decide if this group can reach these lofty expectations under a new coach or if what they built must be broken apart.
If it’s moving Towns to acquire Antetokounmpo, that’s an easy choice. If it’s Durant, an all-time great talent but one who will be 37 years old before opening night and missed 20 games this season for the disappointing Phoenix Suns, that’s a tougher ask.
But to make any of these moves, the Knicks have to decide — and maybe they have — that this group wasn’t going to hit the heights that they were put together to reach. That means deciding that no matter what it cost to get some of these players, it was just a step along the way.
What’s next?
The Knicks may not have the assets to make a deal for Antetokounmpo possible, even if they manage to lure Jason Kidd — who already has a relationship with him — to Madison Square Garden. So let’s consider some of the lesser spotlighted moves that the Knicks must consider.
After reaching the Eastern Conference finals, the Knicks may be shopping in the bargain aisle, but the free-agent chase may be just as important. Those fantasy basketball efforts never came to fruition, but the Knicks now have an equal task.
Back when the targets were the likes of LeBron James, Durant or Kyrie Irving, the Knicks could offer the most money and a stage at Madison Square Garden. Now the task is to try to coax a veteran who can fit into the Knicks’ rotation and contribute — at a low cost — to join the efforts to push the Knicks another level up.
Before any other moves, the Knicks are $8 million below the second apron — the third rail they’d like to avoid. They can add another $3.5 million by declining the option on P.J. Tucker. Another $2 million in cap space can be cleared by declining the team option on Ariel Hukporti, but it’s hard to find a useful two-way big man at that cost.
The other financial possibilities include moving Mitchell Robinson, who excelled in the postseason but has an injury history that has made him a question mark as he enters the final year of his contract worth $13 million. The Knicks have a $5.7 million tax midlevel exception they can use, but if they do, it will automatically trigger the second apron.
The Knicks’ free agents
Unrestricted: Precious Achiuwa, Cam Payne, Landry Shamet, Delon Wright. Team option: Ariel Hukporti, P.J. Tucker. Restricted: Kevin McCullar, MarJon Beauchamp, Anton Watson.
This will be an interesting decision for the front office. Payne and Shamet were a regular part of the rotation for much of the season after Shamet recovered from a preseason shoulder injury.
Achiuwa seemed to be most likely to be gone among players who were contributors this season, not signing back with the Knicks last summer until all other options were exhausted. But there was a dissatisfaction with playing time under Thibodeau — and the coaching staff having equal dissatisfaction about the defense and consistency provided by Achiuwa.
Wright was a defensive option who seemed a perfect fit for Thibodeau when he got his chances, but the 16.7% shooting in the playoffs from three-point range was a problem. He shot 60% in the playoffs in limited action for Miami in the 2023-24 season.
Among the veterans who were part of the rotation, Shamet probably has the best chance to come back. Hukporti showed enough as a rookie to merit a return, but the others, including Tucker, figure to be long shots to return as the team hopes to clear out room under the second apron to sign someone who can contribute now.
Summer league will get the team another look at Pacome Dadiet, who has the size and offensive skills to develop, and Tyler Kolek.
The targets
The Knicks — if they keep the core seven in place — need help with defensive, athletic guards with good size and strength. Easy, right? They currently hold only the No. 50 overall pick in the upcoming draft, although the history of this front office is they will shift all around the draft as it goes on.
On the free-agent market, a few names worth looking at:
Malik Beasley, Detroit (UFA): A thorn in the Knicks’ side in the playoffs, knockdown shooter with good defensive ability.
Gary Trent Jr., Milwaukee (UFA): Ability to fill it up from long range and toughness.
Matisse Thybulle, Portland (UFA): Missed much of the season, but the defensive stopper shot aa career-best 43.8% from three-point range in limited duty.
Justin Minaya, Portland (two-way contract): Former college defensive player of the year has gotten little run on a two-way deal but is a versatile defender.
Quentin Grimes, Philadelphia (RFA): Not happening, not even with Thibodeau gone. He fits the bench needs of the Knicks, but after leaving on less than the best terms, he excelled with the 76ers and has earned himself a solid contract.
Kris Middleton, Washington (PO): Injuries have taken his star power, but at 34, he could be worth a flier off the bench — particularly if Kidd, his former coach in Milwaukee, comes aboard.
It’s not Wright
A league source confirmed that Jay Wright and Leon Rose are very close, have a great relationship and speak regularly. Rose knows Wright is very happy in retirement. So leave that name off the list of candidates.
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.
