The Knicks have requested and been granted permission to speak to Timberwolves assistant Pablo Prigioni about the possibility of him joining Mike Brown‘s coaching staff, reports Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link).
A former NBA point guard who spent two-and-a-half seasons in New York as a player from 2012-15, Prigioni transitioned to coaching following his retirement in 2017. He spent one season on Brooklyn’s bench in 2018/19 before landing with the Wolves.
Prigioni, 48, was originally hired under Ryan Saunders, but carried over to Chris Finch‘s staff in 2021 and has now been with the Timberwolves for six seasons in total. He’s “highly regarded in coaching circles,” Begley writes.
Before they eventually hired Brown, the Knicks attempted to speak to five current NBA head coaches and were turned down by each of those coaches’ respective teams. They’ve found themselves in a somewhat similar position as they look to hire a lead assistant under Brown.
New York was reportedly denied permission to speak to Pelicans assistant James Borrego and Mavericks assistant Jay Triano. The club was also thought to have interest in Darvin Ham, but the Bucks weren’t willing to let him go either. Additionally, Begley reported this week (via Twitter) that Warriors assistant Terry Stotts wouldn’t be leaving Golden State, though it’s unclear whether the Knicks had any real interest in him or if that was just speculation.
Begley doesn’t confirm that Prigioni is being considered specifically for the Knicks’ lead assistant role, but the Timberwolves likely wouldn’t have given a rival team permission to meet with him for what would be a lateral move.
Classy Wolves. Let him get his money.
I know it’s Mike Brown time now. But we really need to ask why Thibs was fired. Yeah we really …… do.
The easy answer is Dolan. It’s also the easy way out.
Forget Thibs took a team that has played together for the first time. And did something they couldn’t do for the last 25yrs. Thibs rebuilt and redid this team in 5yrs.
So for that Rose couldn’t stand up to Dolan backing Thibs. ?????? Well no …. right. so Why ??
what I see knowing Thibs coaching. It had to be about Towns. Towns was a Rose client out of Kentucky. The #1 pick in the draft. Also the guy Jimmy B tore apart on his way out of Minny. Jimmy Butler one of Thibs best players ever. A player who personifies everything Thibs teaches.
Imo it has to be over Towns. Rose can’t look bad by moving KAT. And it’s probably a trade Knicks will lose on. Thibs makes 10 mill a yr, Towns 54 mill a year. You don’t need a calculator or google for this………
OK so now we are still here. Where Towns and even Brunson are a liability on Defense. This ain’t going away with Thibs. Two reasons the Knicks didn’t beat Pacers. Was this duos Defense. And bench scoring.
Knicks have addressed the bench. Still need to fix their starting 5 D.
Sign the assistant already so we can start the real work. A defensive stud at the 4 (NOT Yabusele). Hart back to 6th man of the year.