The Knicks have begun to reach out to potential head coaching candidates, according to multiple reports, with hopes of securing the franchise’s next head coach before the NBA season resumes at the end of July.
In addition to the candidates already reported by the media (Tom Thibodeau, Kenny Atkinson, Mike Woodson, Mike Miller), another group was reported this week by a variety of outlets. Here’s a look at some of the new names mentioned in connection to the Knicks, presented in no particular order.
Ime UdokaThe Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Wednesday that the Knicks plan on interviewing Sixers assistant coach Ime Udoka for their head coaching position. Udoka is in his first season with the Sixers as Brett Brown’s top assistant, and prior to taking that position, he served on Gregg Popovich’s staff in San Antonio as an assistant for seven seasons. Udoka played in the NBA for six seasons, including a short stint with the Knicks and five years with the Spurs.
Given the sustained success of the Spurs and Popovich’s highly regarded coaching, looking at potential head coaches from his coaching tree makes sense. According to SNY, Udoka played a large role in developing players like Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, and DeJounte Murray. Udoka, however, has never been an NBA head coach, so making him their choice does share a level of risk with anyone that has only been a player or assistant in the NBA.
Pat DelanyESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Wednesday that the Knicks plan to interview Hornets assistant coach Pat Delany to be their next head coach. Delany has been on Steve Clifford’s coaching staff the past six seasons, including his stints in Orlando and Charlotte. Prior to his time with Clifford, Delany was with the Heat as an advanced scout, assistant coach, and the head coach of their G-League Team.
Clifford comes from the same coaching tree as Tom Thibodeau and is considered a good defensive coach. Delany’s time working with Pat Riley would also be an attraction, though it is fair to ask whether the Knicks would want to travel down that road again after the failures of David Fizdale.
Chris FlemingSNY’s Ian Begley reported the Knicks are going to interview Bulls assistant coach Chris Fleming for their head coaching position. Fleming is a New Jersey native and was hired by Jim Boylen to be his lead assistant coach for the Bulls after the 2019 season. Prior to his time with the Bulls, Boylen was an assistant coach under Kenny Atkinson with the Nets and spent a year as an assistant with the Nuggets.
From 2008-2014 he was the head coach of the Brose Bamberg Baskets in Germany’s top league, where he led his team to four Championships and three German World Cup titles. He also coached the German national team. Fleming’s prior experience and success as a head coach might be attractive to Leon Rose, but given Kenny Atkinson, who Fleming served under, is also available, it might be difficult to justify selecting Fleming over Atkinson.
Mike BrownAccording to Ian Begley of SNY, the Knicks have some interest in bringing in former Cavaliers and Lakers head coach Mike Brown to interview for their head coaching job. Brown has in impressive 347-216 record as a NBA head coach, including a trip to the NBA Finals, and for the past four seasons, Brown has been the Associate Head Coach of the Golden State Warriors under Steve Kerr.
It is impossible to argue with the results Brown has produced, but despite being blessed with some elite players (like LeBron James), he could never get his teams over the hump. Still, he is definitely worthy of an interview.
Becky HammonSteve Popper of Newsday reported that a source indicated to him that Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon could get an interview. Hammon has been as assistant coach in San Antonio since 2014, and prior to that she played overseas and in the WNBA for the San Antonio Stars and New York Liberty.
Much like with Udoka, seeking out someone from Gregg Popovich’s coaching tree is never a bad idea. There would be a lot of praise for hiring the league’s first female head coach, but the same questions should be raised about her as the other potential candidates that have never been head coaches in the NBA before. There is a higher level of unknown and risk than there is with other candidates that have an established track record as a NBA head coach.
Will HardyAdrian Wojnarowski reported on Thursday that the Knicks were granted permission to speak to San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Will Hardy. Hardy, just 31 years old, has been with the Spurs for ten seasons, the last four as an assistant coach after previously serving as a video coordinator and a scout. Marc Berman of the New York Post reported that there is some belief within the Spurs organization that he could one day be Popovich’s heir apparent.
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Leon Rose continues to handle his new job as Knicks President like a seasoned pro. He has brought in experienced and successful executives from around the league to fill out his Basketball Operations staff. If the reports are correct, he is operating in a similarly patient and professional way in the search for the team’s head coach. He has spread a wide net and is talking to a group of candidates with diverse experience.
There’s a chance that one of the most recently named candidates wows him during the interview process and becomes a front runner for the job, but it would be a surprise. It is hard to imagine Rose determining that one of those candidates, with a smaller resume that presents greater risk, would be preferable to candidates like Kenny Atkinson and Tom Thibodeau, who both have long resumes and established track records as head coaches.
One thing is certain: Leon Rose cannot miss on this hire. The Knicks have recycled head coaches constantly, with only Mike D’Antoni coaching the team for more than two seasons since 2002. A franchise cannot be successful with that kind of constant churn at the head coach position. It is untenable.
A safer choice would be prudent with where the franchise is. Even if Atkinson or Thibodeau prove incapable of coaching the team to a championship, they should be able to get them back to being consistent playoff contenders over four or five seasons, and if a change becomes prudent at that point, so be it.
It is the same thought process that made Mike Budenholzer the logical choice two years ago when the Knicks hired David Fizdale. Budenholzer was a guaranteed “double” with a chance for more success if things went right. The team should feel the same way about Atkinson, and to a lesser extent Thibodeau.
If the team intends to interview as many as 10 candidates, the process could take close to a month to complete. Fortunately for the Knicks, all they have is time with the season not expected to resume until late July and free agency and the draft not slated to happen for another four months. The most important thing is for the team to get the hire right for the second time in the last 20 years.