The New York Knicks had a shocking decision to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau after the team was eliminated in the 2025 NBA playoffs. The Knicks reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000 under Thibs. However, they believe that the franchise would be better off being title contenders if they move on from the coach.
Thibs was with the Knicks for five straight seasons. He helped transform the franchise into becoming title contender. Even the franchise’s best player, Jalen Brunson, was a fan of how he led the team. Unfortunately for the New York team, their playoff exit in the conference finals urged them to make a significant change.
With that, a few names are linked to the Knicks as a potential replacement for Thibs.
On Wednesday, New York Post’s Stefan Bondy reported that two names could take over the Knicks as their new head coach starting next season. Bondy wrote that New York are looking to choose between Mike Brown and Luke Walton.
“Jason Kidd, another potential candidate, is also under contract with the Mavericks, but the possibility of him shaking loose is less clear at this point. Two random names I heard recently for the Knicks job are Mike Brown (currently unemployed) and Luke Walton (lead assistant in Detroit).”
Brown and Walton aren’t the only ones the New York Knicks could pursue. There haven’t been any reports about which coaches the team could consider in their search.
Brown was the head coach for the Sacramento Kings from May 2022 to December 2024. The coach responsible for breaking the Kings’ 16-year playoff drought has been available since getting fired by the organization.
Walton, meanwhile, has been the lead assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons under J.B. Bickerstaff since July 2024. Aside from that, the former NBA player has been the head coach for the Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers.
NBA insider shuts down rumors about the New York Knicks and Ime Udoka
Aside from Brown and Walton, another name linked to the New York Knicks is Ime Udoka, head coach of the Houston Rockets. Immediately after the Knicks confirmed the firing of Thibs, Udoka’s name was brought up.
However, The Athletic’s Kelly Iko shut down the talk and reported that the Houston Rockets aren’t willing to part ways with Udoka.
“Regarding reports identifying Ime Udoka as a possible target for the vacant Knicks coaching position, HOU has no interest in entertaining that, a team source told @TheAthletic. Both parties are committed to the longterm project and are actively preparing for a busy offseason,” Iko posted on X.
Udoka has been the head coach for the Rockets since 2023 and led the franchise to the second seed in the previous season.
