The New York Knicks have reassigned Rick Brunson from his role as associate head coach, a move made shortly after hiring Mike Brown as the team’s new head coach.
According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, the decision gives Brown greater control over his bench while addressing potential distractions tied to Brunson’s position as the father of star guard Jalen Brunson. The organization has already begun searching for a new associate head coach at Brown’s request.
Brunson, who joined the Knicks staff in 2022 under former coach Tom Thibodeau, is reportedly supportive of the change. “This is what’s best for the organization and the players,” a source told Bondy.
The reshuffling comes after the Knicks finalized a four-year, $40 million contract with Brown, as first reported by SNY’s Ian Begley. New York selected Brown after a month-long search that included interviews with Taylor Jenkins, James Borrego, Micah Nori, and Dawn Staley.
Brown, 55, arrives in New York with an extensive resume that includes two NBA Coach of the Year awards and four championships as an assistant. He was most recently head coach of the Sacramento Kings, leading them to a playoff berth in 2023 before being dismissed in December following a slow start to the 2024–25 season.
Under the terms of standard NBA coaching contracts, Sacramento is expected to save money on Brown’s previous deal thanks to the offset provided by his Knicks salary.
With the addition of Brown’s contract, New York now has approximately $70 million committed to head coaching salaries over the next four years, including the remaining money owed to Thibodeau. Despite the financial commitment, team president Leon Rose prioritized Brown’s experience and defensive acumen to sustain playoff success.
Brunson is expected to remain on the staff in a lesser role while the Knicks look for a new associate head coach to help Brown guide a roster built around Jalen Brunson. The team finished last season with 51 wins and reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
