The New York Knicks have finalized a four-year, $40 million contract with Mike Brown to become the franchise’s new head coach, according to league sources cited by SNY’s Ian Begley.
Brown’s hiring follows a month-long search that included interviews with Taylor Jenkins, James Borrego, Micah Nori, and Dawn Staley. The Knicks made their decision earlier this week, aiming to build on a 51-win season that ended in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The 55-year-old brings extensive experience, including stints with the Lakers, Cavaliers, and most recently, the Kings. He led Sacramento to a 48–34 record and a playoff berth in 2023, earning unanimous Coach of the Year honors.
Brown was fired by the Kings last December after a 13–18 start to the 2024–25 campaign. He had been in the first year of a raise/extension worth $8.5 million annually through the 2026–27 season.
Due to a standard offset clause in NBA coaching contracts, Sacramento is now expected to save money on the remainder of Brown’s deal. His new salary with New York will reduce what the Kings owe, though the exact amount of the buyout is not yet known.
With Brown’s hiring, the Knicks now have approximately $70 million in committed salary to the head coaching position over the next four years. That figure includes what remains on Tom Thibodeau’s contract, which reportedly still owes him at least $30 million following his firing in June.
The financial implications are significant, but team president Leon Rose prioritized playoff stability and experience over short-term cost savings. Brown’s reputation as a defensive strategist and player development advocate factored into the Knicks’ decision.
Before joining Sacramento, Brown served under Steve Kerr with the Warriors and Gregg Popovich with the Spurs. His background includes four NBA championships as an assistant and two Coach of the Year awards as a head coach.
Brown’s task in New York will be to build on last season’s playoff run, anchored by Jalen Brunson and a roster expected to contend in the East once again.
