Report: Mike Brown expected to be Knicks’ head coach

Former Kings HC Mike Brown is reportedly expected to be the head coach of the New York Knicks moving forward.

Jul 2, 2025, 10:34 AM Updated: 10:37 am

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Mike Brown had an intriguing tenure as head coach of the Sacramento Kings. After joining them in 2022, Brown posted a 107-88 record with the organization, including a 48-34 season in his first year there that successfully ended Sacramento’s 16-year playoff drought.

Brown was named the unanimous NBA Coach of the Year in 22-23, his second time winning the honors. After winning two less games in the following season, it seemed as though members of the organization (and prior front office led by Monte McNair, Wes Wilcox) were hesitant to extend him.

Just 31 games into his third season with the Kings, they let go of Brown. It was a move that plenty viewed as premature while Doug Christie was promoted to interm before being named the long-term coach this offseason.

Still being paid by Sacramento, Brown was a strong candidate for the New York Knicks head coach opening following Tom Thibodeau’s tenure.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Wednesday morning that New York is “expected to land on two-time NBA Coach of the Year Mike Brown.”

Knicks president Leon Rose underwent a thorough process since the firing of Tom Thibdoeau a month ago. The Knicks requested permission for five NBA head coaches and were denied, then interviewed several available coaches and went through multi-round stages with candidates. https://t.co/G8XwKmLsvz

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2025

With Jordi Fernandez, former lead assistant under Brown in Sacramento, running the show in Brooklyn, the New York market is full of familiar faces to Sacramento fans.

After making the Eastern Conference Finals last season, Jordan Clarkson is the main offseason addition up to this point in free agency. Brown will have a chance to compete at the top of the East.

More Sacramento Kings coverage on Sactown Sports

According to multiple reports, the Kings have reached an agreement with free agent point guard Dennis Schröder, who had been heavily linked to Sacramento in the days leading into free agency.

Schröder, who is coming off his 12th NBA season, spent the 2024-25 season with Brooklyn, Golden State, and Detroit, where he finished with averages of 13.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 0.9 steals per game on 40/34/83 shooting splits (75 games).

The Athletic‘s Fred Katz was the first to report Schröder reaching an agreement with Sacramento.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Tuesday morning that the terms are $45 million over three years, with the final year being partially guaranteed.

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