The New York Knicks officially have named Mike Brown as the new head coach, and are now involving him in a four-year deal that is reportedly worth more than $40 million. Former Sacramento Kings head coach and 2009 NBA Coach of the Year takes the reins of a playoff success-hungered Knicks team after a disappointing exit from this past season.
The move shows a fresh direction for the franchise, but it’s not cheap. With Tom Thibodeau still on the contract, the Knicks are ready to spend a lot of time resolving financial obligations not just Brown, but now their current coach. Sources indicate that the organization could end up paying more than $40-6 million to match the head coaching salary next year when including the cost of an acquisition with Thibodeau.
Mike Brown brings leadership and defense
Mike Brown comes to New York on a long resume. He previously coached the Cleveland Cavaliers during his first stint with LeBron James’ team and led them to the NBA Finals in 2007. Brown later moved on to an assistant coaching role with the Los Angeles Lakers for a short run. In Sacramento, Brown was praised for helping to turn the King into a playoff contender and establishing a culture of accountability and strength on the defensive side.
The emphasis on that defense and structure is that the Knicks want to take it back to Madison Square Garden. Despite Thibodeau’s own defensive background, the team’s inconsistent play and offensive struggles resulted in second round playoff losses, which ultimately cost him his job.
Why the Knicks moved from Thibodeau
Tom Thibodeau’s days in New York were roller coasters. He led the Knicks to their first playoff appearance in nearly a decade of 2021, earning Coach of the Year honors. However, the chemistry issues, injuries and disappointing finishes in the following seasons were thinning both in the fanbase and front office.
Thibodeau’s contract reportedly has two years left, but team president Leon Rose and ownership decided they needed a new start. Even if Mike Brown is now available and meant opening a checkbook while still away from a solid stint in Sacramento, the timing has been adjusted to match the coaching changes.
Coaching Overhaul Financial Costs
Hiring Mike Brown is more than just a basketball decision. That’s also an economic decision. His four-year, $40 million contract has meant that he averages $10 million a year and becomes the league’s top coach.
However, the Knicks will also need to negotiate an acquisition with Thibodeau. The Thibodeau transaction is reportedly worth $7 million a year. If another team can’t offset that by picking up some of the tabs, New York could be on the hook for an additional $14 million or more depending on the terms of the payment.
That means coaching salaries of over $30 million in next year or two alone. This is an incredible number that has not progressed past the second round of the NBA franchises, especially the playoffs that have been in the second round of over 20 years.
Pressure on the Knicks front office
Such a huge investment in coaching will put pressure on the Knicks front office and provide results. The team has promising cores from Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, but questions remain about how the roster will evolve. Does Brown push faster-paced attacks like he installed in Sacramento? Will the Knicks trade to complement Branson’s playmaking?
Most of this will be played out in the offseason, but expectations will be higher from the first day. Madison Square Garden has not seen the conference final game since 2000. Fans are bored with the change in the administration that almost brings about progress. Mike Brown’s arrival represents another chance to change the tide, but it must come soon as a victory.
The relationship between Brown and the player is important
One area Mike Brown excels is building trust with players. Between the Warriors, he gained the respect of stars like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. In Sacramento, he managed to get buy-in from the younger team, helping Dearon Fox promote his game.
His ability to promote relationships and accountability may distinguish Brown from his predecessor. Thibodeau was often said to be violently merciless, but some players reportedly got bored of his strict approach. Brown’s balance of discipline and familiarity is something the Knicks need at this stage of development.
What’s next for the Knicks?
As the Knicks turn the page, Mike Brown gathers staff and works with the front office to begin defining the direction of the team heading into the 2025-26 season. The NBA Draft and free agency period are already underway. In other words, browns are instantly entered into the form of the roster.
It’s clear that New York is all-in. By committing long-term dollars to coaches like Brown and swallowing up the costs of breaking up with Thibodeau, the Knicks show they believe this team can win now. Anything that extends to deep playoff executions can be seen as a failure given financial interests.
Final Thoughts
Mike Brown’s employment is a bold move with high risk and potentially high pay. The New York Knicks are betting that Brown can become a leader in regaining the reliability and competitiveness of the franchise that he has long looked for both.
It’s still unclear whether that gambling will pay off, but one thing is for sure, with the coaching cost approaching $40 million, the Knicks have no choice but to win and won immediately.
