Could Mike Brown unlock the Knicks offense?
The Knicks’ season ended in the Eastern Conference Finals. Two weeks later, they still haven’t named a new head coach, and that’s only one of several major decisions looming.
According to The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III, New York is zeroing in on Taylor Jenkins and Mike Brown as finalists for the job. Of the two, Brown might be the better schematic fit. He demonstrated an ability to generate movement and variety in Sacramento, and he could breathe life into an offense that stagnated late last season. With Jalen Brunson fixed as the franchise’s engine, the next coach must elevate the supporting cast. Brown might be the skipper to do it.
Brown, a veteran coach whose résumé includes Cleveland, Sacramento, and Los Angeles, could be the creative spark the Knicks need. Known for designing versatile offenses in Sacramento, he’d bring a more fluid approach—rotating star minutes, promoting off-ball movement, and finding ways to get more out of secondary options. That last part matters most: outside of Jalen Brunson, New York doesn’t have another consistent shot creator.
With only the $5.7 million taxpayer midlevel exception to spend, the Knicks can’t shop in the high-end aisle. Still, there are useful Free Agents to consider:
- Luke Kennard: In his recent Athletic article about free agents, John Hollinger writes: “An absolutely deadly shooter with a 43.8 percent career mark from 3, Kennard’s low release has meant he can’t launch quite as often as the league’s other top bombers. However, he offsets that with more ballhandling and passing skill than your typical long-range specialist. He even took shifts at point guard and averaged 6.8 assists per 100 possessions.” Health might be a red flag, though: he hasn’t played more than 70 games in a season since his rookie year and has missed 83 games over the last three. His price tag, estimated around $10.4 M by Hollinger, may exceed the Knicks’ budget.
- Spencer Dinwiddie. Hollinger writes that, with Kyrie Irving sidelined, Dinwiddie’s value in Dallas has grown as the team looks to bolster its ballhandling depth. Though not a reliable shooter, his shot creation, size, and foul-drawing ability have made him a steady bench contributor.
- Delon Wright: Delon Wright struggled in Milwaukee before bouncing back a bit with the Knicks. Picked up in a mid-season swap for Jericho Sims, Wright’s defense proved valuable in the playoffs. At 6’5”, he’s a low-usage combo guard with good defensive instincts, though his inconsistent shooting limits his offensive impact.
- Landry Shamet. A potential re-signing on a minimum deal, offering shooting and familiarity.
- Cameron Payne. Cam could be a fallback option if others fall through, but signing him would likely require dipping into the midlevel. Per Hollinger:
“He turns 31 this summer and will be looking for a raise above his minimum deal of a year ago; the Knicks can only offer him a 20 percent raise on his minimum to $4.36 million for the coming year unless they use their $5.7 million taxpayer exception. More likely, getting that raise will involve relocating.”
As Hollinger explains, the 2025 NBA free agency market is shaped more by complex financial maneuvering than star power. Beyond the top names (Harden, Irving, VanVleet), players like D’Angelo Russell (Nets), Chris Paul (Spurs), and Russell Westbrook (Nuggets) face uncertain but intriguing markets. Meanwhile, younger guards such as Cam Thomas (Nets), Tre Jones (Bulls), Ty Jerome (Cavaliers), Keon Ellis (Kings), and Quentin Grimes (Sixers) have outperformed expectations, but are likely outside New York’s budget. His full article can be read here.
As for Edwards, he thinks there’s about a 40% chance that one of New York’s starters is moved before the season tips off. Brunson’s untouchable, and Josh Hart’s unlikely to go anywhere. That leaves three names under the microscope . . . read the full mailbag article here.
Go Knicks.