The New York Knicks will meet with Taylor Jenkins and Mike Brown next week as the franchise begins formal interviews for its head coaching vacancy, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Jenkins, recently dismissed by the Memphis Grizzlies, and Brown, let go midseason by the Sacramento Kings, are the first confirmed candidates to sit down with Knicks management.
New York’s search has encountered early resistance. Multiple teams — including the Bulls, Hawks, Mavericks, Timberwolves, and Rockets — have declined to grant permission for interviews with their current coaches.
Chicago refused New York’s request to speak with Billy Donovan, while Atlanta did the same regarding Quin Snyder.
Jason Kidd, who led Dallas to the Western Conference Play-In, was also deemed off-limits.
This series of rejections has prompted speculation that the Knicks could shift away from high-profile targets. Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer reported that some inside the league are skeptical about New York pursuing established names like Michael Malone or Mike Budenholzer.
Taylor Jenkins, 40, coached the Grizzlies for six seasons before his dismissal on March 28. He held a 270–206 record in Memphis and was fired with the team sitting at 44–29 — virtually assured of a playoff spot.
Brown was removed from his post by the Kings on December 27 after a 13–18 start. His tenure included a 48-win campaign in 2022–23 and a postseason berth the following year.
The Knicks’ opening became official after parting ways with Tom Thibodeau, who had led the team to back-to-back 50-win seasons and a third-place finish in the Eastern Conference this year.
Sources around the league indicate that New York may now prioritize candidates with strong player development backgrounds or fresh tactical perspectives.
One such name is Johnny Bryant, a former Knicks assistant who spent the 2024–25 season on Cleveland’s bench. The Cavaliers finished first in the East with a 64–18 record.
