Since the New York Knicks’ controversial firing of five-year head coach Tom Thibodeau three weeks ago, their search for a replacement has been a hot-button issue around the league. Many disagreed with letting Thibodeau go in the first place, and even more were critical of their approach to landing his successor. New York has kicked the tires on several active coaches, such as Ime Udoka and Jason Kidd, but was denied access to them by their current teams. One of those existing coaches was Minnesota’s Chris Finch. Although NY was rebuffed yet again, they’re now in talks with a Wolves assistant, Micah Nori. From Nori’s ties to the Knicks’ front office to his offensive knowledge and familiarity with Karl-Anthony Towns, he has emerged as more than a solid candidate.
The New York Knicks are interviewing Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori for the team’s head coaching job, sources tell ESPN. Now three candidates – Nori and two former head coaches Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins – have done formal interviews for the Knicks’ vacancy.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Knicks Should Have a Clear Frontrunner for Head Coach Opening
3 Reasons Micah Nori Should Be the Next Coach of the Knicks
1. He’s a Perfect Blend of Innovation and Experience
At 51 years old, Nori is at the perfect stage of his career to become a first-time head coach. He’s been an NBA assistant for 17 years with five different organizations and has learned at the feet of proven coaches like Michael Malone, Dwane Casey, and Chris Finch. Nori has often been described as Finch’s “right-hand man” or his most trusted assistant. Nori is Finch’s go-to guy for everything from in-game adjustments to pre-game strategy and planning to bench coach. When the headman injured his leg in Game 4 against the Phoenix Suns in 2024, Nori served as the acting head coach for the remainder of the contest.
Nori is known for his modern, innovative offensive schemes and ability to make adjustments on the fly. He served as the Pistons’ offensive coordinator under Casey for several years in Detroit. Nori is also well-known for his personality, often using amusing metaphors during sideline interviews for the Timberwolves broadcast to describe in-game strategies. Overall, he’s the ideal combination of knowledge, experience, and adaptability in a coach that should also resonate with players.
2. Familiarity with Karl-Anthony Towns Could Unlock NYK
One of Thibodeau’s biggest shortcomings as New York’s head coach was his inability to adjust to certain players. This issue reared its head most prominently this season with the arrival of Towns. KAT is an excellent player brimming with potential, but certain weaknesses in his game must be worked around to maximize his potential. Thibodeau struggled with everything from weaponizing his shooting to configuring lineups around KAT to get the best results.
He was heavily criticized by Knicks fans for abandoning the Jalen Brunson-Towns pick-and-pop partnership and limiting Towns’ three-point volume. KAT is arguably the best shooting big man of all time: wasting that dimension of his game cannot happen again. The Kentucky product also infamously struggles in certain defensive coverages. Although Thibodeau worked magic in the Boston Celtics series, he wasn’t able to game-plan Towns away from constantly switching onto Pacers’ guards in the next round. It ultimately was a big factor in their demise.
Another reason Nori is so appealing to the Knicks is his familiarity with Towns. Nori coached KAT for three seasons in Minnesota and was said to have an excellent relationship with him. Nori’s offensive knowledge, paired with his experience maximizing Towns’ offensive game, could work wonders for the Knicks’ offense. NY’s offense is already incredible because of their high talent level, but could use some innovation to optimize their five-out playbook.
Additionally, Nori is used to hiding Towns’ defensive deficiencies. He also knows how to pair the big man with another offensively-challenged center (Rudy Gobert, Mitchell Robinson). Nori is the perfect candidate to use a double-big lineup that NY has craved since acquiring Towns. If the Knicks want to keep their current core, they’d better start maximizing the talent. Nori might just be the guy to do that.
Micah Nori knows how to generate KAT threes when paired with another big. pic.twitter.com/ql6gqnCuym
— DJ Zullo (@DJAceNBA) June 24, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
3. Ties to the Knicks’ Organization
The Knicks are a “family business” type of organization, from Leon Rose to Jalen Brunson to Rick Brunson. That’s what made it so surprising when they fired Tom Thibodeau, who was also well-connected within the franchise. Well, if NY is looking to replace him with someone with ties to the organization, Nori also checks that box. New York’s Vice President of Basketball Operations, Gersson Rosas, was in Minnesota’s front office when Nori was hired by the team. He also has a relationship with the Knicks’ second-best player, as I’ve outlined above.
Everything about Nori screams perfect for this job. He knows members of the Knicks front office and roster, he’s an innovative coach, and he’s lauded as a genius by his players. If Rose is willing to swing on a first-time coach, Nori might be the next headman of the Knicks.
Featured image: © Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The post Knicks Should Have a Clear Frontrunner for Head Coach Opening appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.