The biggest question surrounding the New York Knicks’ offseason is the head coaching vacancy.
Tom Thibodeau may have guided the franchise to its first consecutive 50+ win seasons in 30 years, but an Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Indiana Pacers was enough to send him packing.
Now, the Knicks must conduct a seemingly nationwide search for his successor. One option is former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins, who is reportedly the first candidate lined up for an interview, according to NBA Insider Ian Begley of SNY.
Jenkins was an assistant with the Atlanta Hawks from 2013-2018, highlighted by a 60-win campaign in 2014-15. The Hawks would fall in four games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Then, Jenkins joined the Milwaukee Bucks’ staff for a year before earning the top gig in Memphis.
As the Grizzlies’ head coach, Jenkins went 250-214 over six seasons but was fired this past March. Memphis was 44-29 at the time, and the move raised some eyebrows across league circles.
Jenkins is still only 40 years old, and perhaps that younger direction could entice New York’s front office compared to the somewhat archaic practices of Thibodeau. Jenkins does prefer up-tempo offenses, which do not always mesh with a control-the-pace point guard like Jalen Brunson.
However, that philosophy could also open transition opportunities up for guys like Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Deuce McBride.
Jenkins also coached in three postseasons with Memphis, losing in the first round in 2021 and 2023, and getting bounced in the second round in 2022.