Fix It or Forget It: Knicks to Interview Taylor Jenkins and Mike Brown—Is This the First Step to a Real Fix?

Featured on 🎧The Iso Play* – “Fix It or Forget It” Segment*

The Knicks are finally showing signs of a plan… maybe.

After parting ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau following yet another playoff flameout, the New York Knicks are now reportedly set to interview Taylor Jenkins and Mike Brown for their head coaching vacancy. And if you caught this week’s episode of The Iso Play, you already know I had thoughts during our “Fix It or Forget It” segment.

We asked the question plainly: Did firing Coach Thibs mean the Knicks were serious about fixing things—or was it just another aimless move in a franchise known for resets?

Now this news—Jenkins and Brown being considered—adds a little substance to the conversation. But does it really move the needle?

A Look at the Candidates

Taylor Jenkins is fresh off a rocky season with the Memphis Grizzlies, but let’s not forget he helped develop a tough, gritty team built around Ja Morant. Jenkins is known for emphasizing team defense and movement—something the Knicks absolutely need more of if they want to protect Jalen Brunson from doing everything. Still, after the chaos in Memphis last season, it’s fair to question whether he’s ready for the unforgiving pressure of New York.

Mike Brown, meanwhile, is coming off a 2022–2023 Coach of the Year campaign with the Sacramento Kings. Brown brought a young, fast-paced offense to life and emphasized accountability—two things that could bring the best out of this Knicks roster. Plus, he has championship pedigree from his assistant days with the Warriors. The question is: does his style fit what New York needs right now?

From “No Plan” to Potential Progress?

On The Iso Play, I made it clear: getting rid of Thibs without a follow-up plan made zero sense. You don’t cut ties with the most successful coach you’ve had in years—someone who helped rebuild the team’s identity—unless you’re absolutely sure your next move is an upgrade.

And so far, it looked like the Knicks didn’t have a next move. They were denied permission to interview coaches like Jason Kidd, Ime Udoka, and Chris Finch. Not exactly a good look.

But now, with Jenkins and Brown in the picture, maybe the Knicks are showing they have some direction. Is it the right one? That remains to be seen.

What This Means for Jalen Brunson and the Knicks’ Core

No matter who they hire, the success of this next era hinges on two things:

1. Jalen Brunson’s support cast, especially his potential co-star—can Karl-Anthony Towns be that guy?
2. The coach’s ability to bring out the best in the entire roster, not just run a short rotation into the ground like Thibs was known for.

Brunson has proven he’s “the guy.” Now the Knicks need a coach who won’t waste his prime. Both Jenkins and Brown have experience working with star players and building around young cores. That’s encouraging.

Fix It or Forget It?

For now, I’m leaning toward fix it—but only if the front office commits to a full vision. Interviewing Jenkins and Brown is a start, not a solution. The next coach needs to maximize Brunson, get more out of KAT, and finally tap into the depth that’s been collecting dust under Thibs.

The Knicks aren’t broken beyond repair. But if they mess up this coaching decision, they’re not just stalling—they’re sliding backwards.

So what do you think?
Are Jenkins or Brown the answer?
Is this finally the move that starts the Knicks’ climb—or should we just forget it?

👉 Catch the full Fix It or Forget It segment on The Iso Play: Watch Here