Jan 29, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone coaches against the New York Knicks during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Two early favorites have emerged in the wake of the New York Knicks firing coach Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday, which created a vacancy for one of the most intriguing jobs in the NBA.
Just three days after losing to the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Knicks parted ways with Thibodeau. After five seasons, 226 regular-season victories and four playoff appearances, Thibodeau leaves behind a roster he helped cultivate into a growing threat in the East.
New York may have one of sports’ most polarizing owners in Jim Dolan, but the Knicks also have a talented roster in a city primed to attract marquee talent.
That led multiple sportsbooks to quickly generate an odds market on the Knicks’ next coach. Leading the pack at an online sportsbook is Michael Malone, who was fired by Denver with three games left in the regular season — less than 24 months after guiding the Nuggets to the 2023 NBA title.
He is followed by former Villanova coach Jay Wright and ex-Knicks coach and television analyst Jeff Van Gundy.
KNICKS NEXT COACH ODDS*
Michael Malone (+100)
Jay Wright (+150)
Jeff Van Gundy (+600)
Chris Quinn (+700)
Taylor Jenkins (+800)
Danny Hurley (+900)
Rick Brunson (+1200)
Mike Brown (+1400)
Mark Jackson (+1600)
Steve Nash (+2200)
James Borrego (+3300)
Johnnie Bryant (+4000)
John Calapari (+4500)
Mike Budenholzer (+5000)
Mike D’Antoni (+5000)
Sam Cassell (+6600)
*an online sportsbook odds provided for entertainment purposes only.
Knicks team president Leon Rose said in a statement that the team “decided to move in another direction” as it eyes a championship run next season. The Knicks’ odds are improved thanks to the Boston Celtics losing star Jayson Tatum to an Achilles injury that will cost him most, if not all, of next season.
Thibodeau posted a 24-23 playoff record with the Knicks and was fired less than a year after signing a three-year extension through 2027 that was worth a reported $10-11 million per season.
Considering the Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years, the vacancy is expected to draw interest from a host of high-profile and experienced candidates.
A look at the top half-dozen candidates on the list:
MICHAEL MALONE
In addition to leading the Nuggets to the 2023 title, Malone spent two seasons as a Knicks assistant in the early 2000s. The 53-year-old is no stranger to the limelight of Madison Square Garden and is the son of the late Brendan Malone, who spent three different stints as an assistant with the franchise. After leaving the Knicks, Malone has posted a 510-394 regular-season record in parts of 12 seasons as an NBA coach.
JAY WRIGHT
Wright coached Knicks star Jalen Brunson at Villanova along with teammates Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges. A two-time national champion at Villanova, Wright retired in 2022 citing the changing landscape of college basketball. The biggest question may be whether Wright has a desire to return to coaching, much less in a pressure-cooker environment like the Knicks’ job. He declined to be considered when the job became available previous times over the past decade.
JEFF VAN GUNDY
It has been 18 years since Van Gundy patrolled the sidelines for an NBA team. Still just 63 years old, Van Gundy did serve as an assistant with the Clippers this season following a long run as a broadcaster. He won 248 games with the Knicks over parts of seven seasons after taking over for the fired Don Nelson late in 1995-96. He also led the franchise to its most recent NBA Finals appearance in 1999.
CHRIS QUINN
A former NBA player, Quinn has spent more than a decade as an assistant with the Miami Heat. He was installed at +700 despite not being near the top of many early lists to replace Thibodeau. However Quinn has been on NBA teams’ radars. He met with the Phoenix Suns this year after interviewing with Cleveland last offseason.
TAYLOR JENKINS
Like Malone, Jenkins was a surprising late-season firing when he was let go by Memphis on March 28 after winning a franchise-record 250 games and earning three playoff appearances over parts of six seasons. Jenkins offers a wealth of experience despite being only 40 and has a reputation for cultivating young talent. However, he did post a mere 9-14 playoff record with Memphis.
DANNY HURLEY
Hurley seriously contemplated leaving UConn for the Los Angeles Lakers last offseason. He ultimately returned to Storrs to chase a three-peat that came up short with a second-round NCAA Tournament loss, but maybe he’ll be more tempted by an NBA job that would keep him in the Northeast. A Jersey City native, Hurley spent his coaching career before UConn at stops in either New York or New Jersey. Hurley does have a strong roster assembled at UConn ahead of next season, but would the allure of coaching Brunson, Hart, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns be enough to draw him to MSG?
–Field Level Media
