Knicks Reportedly Could Look to Hire Ex-NBA Player as New HC After Thibs Firing
The New York Knicks reportedly may be eyeing a certain qualification when it comes to their next head coach.
Speaking Friday on the Bill Simmons Podcast (starting at the 51:20 mark), NBA insider Zach Lowe said he's heard "rumblings" that the Knicks may want a former player to succeed Tom Thibodeau.
"I have no earthly idea [who will be the next coach]," Lowe said. "I've heard rumblings of maybe they want an ex-player—an ex-NBA player. I don't know if that's true."
NBA insider Marc Stein shed more light on New York's approach Friday, writing: "The Knicks, meanwhile, are said to be determined to hire an experienced coach to replace Thibodeau."
After falling to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks fired Thibodeau this week, ending his five-year tenure with the club.
The Knicks enjoyed a lot of success under Thibodeau, going 226-174 with four playoff appearances, including each of the past three seasons.
Thibs guided the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000, but after making huge changes last offseason, including trading for Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, the front office may have felt it was NBA Finals or bust.
As things stand, the Knicks are the only NBA team without a head coach, and there is no clear answer regarding who will succeed Thibodeau.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported this week that the Knicks could try to poach Jason Kidd from the Dallas Mavericks or Ime Udoka from the Houston Rockets, although they aren't believed to be available.
Meanwhile, Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reported that experienced head coaches such as Mike Brown and Luke Walton could be in the mix as well.
Kidd, Udoka and Walton would all fit Lowe's rumor of the Knicks possibly wanting a former NBA player as their next head coach, although it is unclear if the rumor relates to players who have already become coaches or players without coaching experience.
In recent years, it has become more common for NBA players to transition into head coaching despite a lack of experience.
Steve Nash was the first major example, and it didn't go as well as hoped. After leading the Brooklyn Nets to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons at the helm, Nash was fired early in his third year, finishing with an overall record of 94-67.
More recently, the Los Angeles Lakers hired JJ Redick as their head coach last offseason. The Lakers were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs, but they went 50-32 in his first season, which was their best record since 2019-20.
Regardless of who the Knicks hire, their head coaching job figures to be a highly desirable one since they boast a strong roster and fell just short of the NBA Finals this season.
