The New York Knicks are expected to hire Mike Brown as head coach, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Wednesday. NBA insider Chris Haynes added that the two sides are working hard to finalize the contract terms.

Mike Brown, 55, has served as an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards, San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers and Golden State Warriors, assisting four head coaches, Bernie Backstaff, Gregg Popovich, Rick Carlisle and Steve Kerr. He has also independently managed the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings, during which he was twice named NBA Coach of the Year (2009, 2023), with a total winning rate of 59.9%.

In December 2024, Brown was fired by the Kings for his poor performance. But it is reported that the conflict between him and the core of the team, De'Aaron Fox, was the key factor leading to his departure.

Last season, the Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals after an absence of 25 years under the leadership of Tom Thibodeau, but eventually lost to the Indiana Pacers 2-4. In order to make further progress, the Knicks management decided to remove Thibodeau from the head coaching position and interviewed Mike Brown, Taylor Jenkins, James Borrego, and Micah Nory. According to sources, Brown is the only candidate who has been interviewed multiple times.

NBA veteran reporters Marc Stein and Jack Fisher further pointed out that the Knicks plan to hire James Borrego as Brown's chief assistant coach. However, the Pelicans prefer Borrego to remain on Willie Green's coaching staff.