The Knicks shocked the NBA on Wednesday by firing Tom Thibodeau, a mere three days after their Eastern Conference Finals elimination in the hands of the Indiana Pacers – also their second-straight playoff ouster from the same opponent.
The 67-year-old leaves as far and away the most successful Knicks coach of the 21st century, with four playoff appearances in five seasons, back-to-back 50-win campaigns, and a 2021 Coach of the Year award. But despite restoring credibility to a franchise that had just two winning seasons from 2000-2020, Thibs’ relentless style may have ultimately led to his downfall.
Thibodeau’s hard-nosed philosophy – heavy minutes for starters, grueling practices, and a tight rotation – has followed him since his Chicago Bulls days, most infamously with Derrick Rose’s career-altering ACL tear in 2012. This season, the Knicks’ starting five all averaged over 35 minutes per game, with Josh Hart (37.6 MPG) and Mikal Bridges (37.0 MPG) seemingly leading the league in workload, in terms of minutes played and end-to-end usage considering they are two-way weapons. The toll was evident in the 2024 playoffs, when Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and Hart all suffered injuries that derailed their series against Indiana – a storyline that repeated itself this year.
While Thibs transformed the Knicks from laughingstocks to contenders, the front office clearly decided his approach wasn’t sustainable for a championship run. Now, New York faces a pivotal question: Who can take this team further without burning it out?
The Knicks’ coaching search begins now, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With a win-now roster led by Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, accompanied by Hart, Bridges, and Anunoby, New York needs a leader who can maximize talent without sacrificing longevity.
Let’s check out the hot names on the market:
Michael Malone
- Michael Malone tops the list of free agent coaches as he is just two years removed from stirring the Denver Nuggets to its first NBA championship. Yes, there may be some concerns with how he was fired a week before the 2025 playoffs, but a title is a title, and his hardass persona and defensive-minded approach is a fit in New York.
Jay Wright
- While Jay Wright is happily retired for three years now, many are speculating that he still has the fire in his belly, and if there’s anyone who can lure him out, it’s the Knicks since three of his guys from his hallowed Villanova days are on the squad – not only that, he won two NCAA National Titles with them.
Mike Brown
- Like Malone, Mike Brown is fresh-off getting sent home as he was fired by the Sacramento Kings in December 2024, two years after snapping the franchise’s playoff drought. Still, he has experience, championship pedigree, and a defense-oriented system that may continue the Knick identity without Thibodeau’s overworking style.
Taylor Jenkins
- Taylor Jenkins was let go by the Memphis Grizzlies in late March 2025, but like Malone and Brown, what he had established will be enticing to teams everywhere. He had a good run with the Grizzlies and molded a group that was fun to watch.
Honorable mentions: James Borrego, Frank Vogel, Sam Cassell, Chris Quinn, and Jordan Ott.
- Rounding out are veterans like Borrego and Vogel, who are offensive and defensive gurus, respectively, and renowned longtime assistants that will be potential first-time coaches, like Cassell (Celtics), Quinn (Heat), and Ott (Cavs, also a former Thibs assistant).
