Top 3 Replacements for the New York Knicks After Tom Thibodeau Firing
The New York Knicks made a significant decision for the future of the franchise as they fired coach Tom Thibodeau after five seasons and being two wins away from making the NBA Finals. With the front office now tasked with making the team get to that next level and hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy, whoever they get to replace Thibodeau is going to be important for the future of the franchise. It is likely the Knicks made this move already knowing the direction they want to take with the coaching search so let’s take a closer look at some of the top names to replace Tom Thibodeau in The Big Apple.
New York Knicks Replacements for Tom Thibodeau
Jay Wright
This is the one that everyone is going to jump to as you already have the Villanova Wildcat players Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart are all part of the team that won the national championship and Jay Wright was the coach of that team. He is also familiar with the area as he got his coaching start with the Hofstra Pride, a college an hour away from Madison Square Garden.
Wright retired from coaching college basketball after 22 seasons due to the changing landscape of the sport, but could he be lured in with the possibility of being on one of the biggest stages in sports and with players he recruited? It would be an intriguing hire for sure and really depends on Wright’s longing for the opportunity.
Monty Williams
Monty Williams can coach and has shown the ability to elevate a young core and grow into a winning culture as he did with the Phoenix Suns in 2021 when they lost in the NBA Finals to the Milwaukee Bucks. However, his tenure with the Detroit Pistons was not good, but do not let that fool you at all. Williams is one of the top candidates right now and should be highly considered as he is 381-404 (.485) in 10 seasons throughout his coaching tenure and has won the NBA Coach of the Year Award back in the 2021-22 season. He is someone who can grow with the team and be a long-term option as the coach of the New York Knicks.
Mike Malone
Mike Malone is one of the coaches who was also fired this year, as he was fired at the end of the NBA regular season by the Denver Nuggets. He is the most proven coach available as well as being a native of Queens, New York, giving him that ‘New York grit’. Malone is also one of the coaches with an NBA Championship on his resume so he has shown the ability to get to that point, which is what the New York Knicks are searching for. Is this the most likely situation, no. However, do not be surprised if he is one of the finalists for the coaching job.
