Knicks Eyeing Former Lakers Head Coach as Mike Brown Assistant

Knicks Eyeing Former Lakers Head Coach as Mike Brown Assistant originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

While things didn't end as fans would've hoped, the New York Knicks just enjoyed one of their best seasons in recent memory. They were No. 5 in the NBA in offensive efficiency on their way to finishing as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. They then took on the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

The Pistons challenged the Knicks, but Jalen Brunson constantly lived up to the billing of the NBA's Clutch Player of the Year award winner and helped lead the Knicks to a 4-2 series victory. That set up a matchup with the defending Champion Boston Celtics and also defeated them in six games, despite entering as significant underdogs.

Knicks eyeing former Lakers head coach as Mike Brown assistant

By defeating the Boston Celtics, they punched their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000. Unfortunately, a familiar foe awaited them in the Indiana Pacers. This was just the latest in an already storied rivalry. Unfortunately, the Pacers proved to be too much to handle, with the Knicks falling in six games.

To some, advancing to the conference finals for the first time in 25 seasons would be deemed a success, the Knicks' upper brass didn't agree, as they fired Tom Thibodeau shortly after being eliminated. After a lengthy search, the Knicks ultimately decided on former Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown.

Now, the Knicks will look to round out the coaching staff with experienced assistants. According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Knicks could be a possible destination for former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham.

“Phoenix and now New York — after the hiring of Mike Brown as the Knicks' new head coach — have expressed interest in trying to hire Darvin Ham away from the Bucks, The Stein Line has learned," wrote Stein.

The Suns and Knicks are interested in adding Darvin Ham to their staff, per @TheSteinLine

“Phoenix and now New York — after the hiring of Mike Brown as the Knicks' new head coach — have expressed interest in trying to hire Darvin Ham away from the Bucks, The Stein Line has… pic.twitter.com/cfBvXYsXD9

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 6, 2025

The Knicks will likely be a popular destination for assistant coaches, as many believe the hire of Brown will help put the team over the top. Brown has plenty of experience and is a two-time Coach of the Year award winner.

Brown helped snap a significant drought in Sacramento, helping the Kings reach the playoffs in 2023 for the first time since 2006. If he can help bring the Knicks their first championship since 1973, he will be forever immortalized in New York City sports history.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.