The New York Knicks are officially diving deep into the offseason in search of assistant coaching talent to join newly appointed head coach Mike Brown, signaling the beginning of a potentially significant cultural and strategic overhaul. Brown, known across the league for his defensive acumen and his ability to develop strong locker room chemistry, is already putting his imprint on the franchise by working with the front office to build a staff that reflects both his philosophies and the team’s long-term vision.
With the departure of Tom Thibodeau earlier in the summer, a seismic shift was anticipated. Thibodeau, with his well-known intensity and rigorous defensive schemes, had led the Knicks to consistent playoff contention but never quite crossed the threshold of greatness that fans in New York continue to hunger for. Brown, who last served as the head coach of the Sacramento Kings and previously held high-profile positions with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, represents a blend of stability, experience, and measured transformation. His arrival came with an understanding that the coaching staff would likely be reshaped, and now the search is in full motion.
Sources close to the team indicate that Brown has already begun compiling a shortlist of assistant coaches with varying backgrounds. The priority appears to be finding individuals who complement his strengths but also offer contrasting perspectives that can enhance the team’s adaptability. Given Brown’s reputation as a defensive strategist, it’s not surprising that many of the early targets are offensive-minded coaches who can bring creativity and tempo to a team that has often struggled with fluidity on that end of the floor. Several names are already floating around league circles as potential hires, and the Knicks are expected to cast a wide net.
One of the most notable candidates linked to the Knicks is Chris Jent, a long-time NBA assistant known for his player development credentials and offensive versatility. Jent worked under Mike Brown in Cleveland and has also had stints with the Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Lakers. His familiarity with Brown’s system and his ability to connect with young players make him a strong fit. Jent has a reputation for helping players refine their shooting mechanics and improve their confidence on the perimeter, two areas the Knicks will be heavily focusing on in the coming season, especially with young wings like Quentin Grimes and promising guards like Miles McBride continuing to grow.
Another candidate who has reportedly drawn interest is Phil Handy, currently an assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers. Handy is widely regarded as one of the premier skills development coaches in the NBA and has worked with superstars including LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kawhi Leonard. While it may be difficult to lure him away from Los Angeles, where he has built a strong foundation, the opportunity to work in a larger role under Brown might be appealing. Handy’s approach to individualized improvement and his ability to get the best out of high-usage players could be invaluable in unlocking more offensive efficiency from Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle.
In addition to offensive minds, Brown is also believed to be looking at bringing in a veteran assistant with head coaching experience to act as a stabilizing voice and sounding board. Names such as Stephen Silas and Frank Vogel have been whispered in NBA inner circles. While Vogel may be too big of a name and may be waiting for another head coaching opportunity, Silas — who was recently let go by the Houston Rockets — may be open to taking a more behind-the-scenes role to rebuild his career. Silas, like Brown, has a reputation for patience and intelligence, and pairing the two could create a balanced environment where tactical decisions are discussed deeply before implementation.
Equally important to Brown and Knicks president Leon Rose is diversity in coaching experience. The team is reportedly interested in assistant coaches from the college ranks and even G League programs. There’s a growing understanding around the NBA that young assistant coaches who’ve thrived in development-heavy environments can bring fresh energy and new ways of connecting with younger talent. Names like Ronald Nored of the Atlanta Hawks and Mike Miller, who previously coached the Knicks on an interim basis and has since worked in player development, are being considered for these roles.
The desire for fresh perspectives also extends beyond X’s and O’s. The Knicks are believed to be prioritizing assistant coaches who bring emotional intelligence, communication skills, and mental wellness awareness. Mike Brown is a big believer in the holistic development of players, not just tactically but psychologically. He has been outspoken in the past about the importance of player-coach relationships and creating a culture of accountability without toxicity. In building his staff, he’s said to be seeking assistants who will echo that ethos.
What remains unclear at this point is the status of several holdovers from the Thibodeau era. Johnnie Bryant, who was long rumored to be Thibodeau’s eventual successor before Brown’s hiring changed that trajectory, is still under contract. It’s uncertain whether Bryant will be retained or seek a fresh start elsewhere. Bryant is well respected around the league, especially for his work with guards, and has previously been linked to head coaching jobs. While it’s possible that the Knicks may keep him on as a bridge between the old and new regimes, doing so could create a potentially awkward dynamic. Brown has always preferred to bring in his own people, and while he is known for being diplomatic, he may opt for a clean slate.
Another coach whose status remains ambiguous is Andy Greer, Thibodeau’s long-time defensive coordinator. Greer has followed Thibodeau through multiple stops, including Chicago and Minnesota, and is closely tied to Thibodeau’s coaching tree. With Brown taking over, it’s almost inevitable that Greer will be moving on. Still, the Knicks have expressed gratitude internally for Greer’s contributions and may assist in helping him find a landing spot elsewhere in the league.
What makes this coaching search particularly crucial is the timing. The Knicks are not in rebuild mode — they’re in contention. With Jalen Brunson emerging as a legitimate All-Star caliber floor general, Julius Randle continuing to deliver consistent production, and the front office having made it clear that they want to be aggressive in the trade market, the Knicks need a coaching staff that can immediately elevate performance without disrupting existing chemistry. Brown’s staff will need to prepare the team not only for the 82-game grind but also for the nuanced adjustments of postseason play. The East continues to be stacked, with teams like the Celtics, Bucks, and Sixers all remaining formidable. To succeed, New York will need every edge they can muster.
Player development will also be a vital area of focus, particularly as the Knicks prepare to make difficult financial decisions in the near future. Young players like RJ Barrett — who is at a pivotal point in his career — along with Immanuel Quickley and Mitchell Robinson, must continue evolving or risk becoming trade bait. The Knicks are caught in that middle zone between contender and pretender, and having a coaching staff capable of maximizing the roster’s talent from the ground up is non-negotiable.
Mike Brown’s previous stints have shown that he values collaborative staff cultures. In Sacramento, his partnership with Jordi Fernández and Jay Triano was crucial in the Kings’ breakthrough year. Brown has a reputation for empowering his assistants to lead certain aspects of practice and to offer real input during games. That kind of environment could be refreshing for New York, where previous head coaches were often criticized for micromanagement and rigidity. A modern coaching structure that promotes feedback, innovation, and adaptation could breathe new life into a team that has spent decades searching for sustainable success.
One other factor in the assistant coaching search is the influence of Leon Rose and the front office. While Brown has been granted substantial autonomy, it’s clear that the Knicks’ leadership still wants to ensure that hires align with the organization’s branding and long-term goals. Rose, a former agent, values relationships and trust, and the assistant coaching hires will likely reflect those preferences as well. Expect a few names who are lesser known but personally vouched for by key decision-makers behind the scenes.
Training camp is just two months away, and the Knicks are hoping to have the staff mostly finalized by mid-August. This gives Brown and his assistants just enough time to install foundational principles, build rapport with players, and establish clear roles before the real work begins. Every minute between now and then is critical — not just for selecting names, but for shaping the identity of the 2025-2026 New York Knicks.
The stakes are high. In a city that demands excellence and punishes mediocrity with ruthless intensity, every assistant coaching hire matters. These decisions will ripple across every practice, every game plan, and every playoff series. For Mike Brown, the journey begins not with a roster move, but with a whiteboard, a vision, and a few seats to fill beside him on the Knicks’ bench.
