Latest news with #NewYorkKnicks
New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Bulls, Billy Donovan agree to contract extension: Source
Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has inked an extension with the franchise, per a team source. Donovan will enter his sixth season at the helm, having amassed a 195-205 record since 2020. The Bulls have finished the past three seasons in the NBA's Play-In Tournament. Donovan, who will be a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2025 induction class, was notably pursued by the New York Knicks during their coaching search before they were ultimately turned away. Negotiations between the Bulls and Donovan reportedly preceded the Knicks' interest. Advertisement Following the 2023-24 season, Donovan's staff was shaken up, with assistants Chris Fleming and Maurice Cheeks let go. Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig were later brought in. Donovan's time with the Bulls began following six seasons as head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, which concluded in 2020, when Donovan was named the NBA co-Coach of the Year. 'It became apparent that we couldn't provide (Donovan) the information on the future direction of the team over the next several seasons to give him the level of clarity that he understandably desires at this stage of his career,' Thunder general manager Sam Presti said in a statement after mutually parting ways with Donovan following the expiration of his contract. Now, Donovan will head a team that's made a single rotational change — trading guard Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Isaac Okoro — since May's ninth-place finish, which resulted in a first-round out in the Play-In Tournament. Donovan, who also coached two NCAA championship teams at Florida, is set to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in September.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Knicks Speculation Heats Up Around Former No 1 Pick
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The New York Knicks have had an interesting offseason thus far. While they haven't shaken up the roster much, they have made a couple of key additions. Both Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele were signed in NBA free agency. They will both be asked to handle key roles off of the bench. In addition to the two impactful outside roster moves, the Knicks made a change on the sideline. Tom Thibodeau was fired after New York was defeated by the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. To replace him, the team brought in Mike Brown. Head coach of Mike Brown of the New York Knicks speaks to media during his introductory press conference at Knicks Training Facility on July 08, 2025 in Tarrytown, New York. Head coach of Mike Brown of the New York Knicks speaks to media during his introductory press conference at Knicks Training Facility on July 08, 2025 in Tarrytown, New York. Photo byOver the years, Thibodeau has not utilized his bench much. He has received a lot of criticism for that, but the Knicks have never prioritized having a lot of depth. Brown will bring a different philosophy to the team. Read more: Where Could LeBron James Go Next? Top Landing Spots If He Leaves Lakers With that in mind, New York should remain active in looking for more depth. One name to keep an eye on could be former No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons. He is still available on the free agency market and the Knicks have been connected as a possible suitor. CBS Sports analyst Sam Quinn took a look at the top remaining free agents and their best fit. When it came to Simmons, he stated his belief that New York was the top potential landing spot. "How about the Knicks? The key to maximizing Simmons will be surrounding him with shooting. The Knicks have a shooting big man in Karl-Anthony Towns. The reserves they added this offseason, Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, can both shoot. Perhaps New York could lean on Simmons as a creator when Jalen Brunson goes to the bench," Quinn wrote. "He gives them yet another big wing to deploy defensively, and if they want to switch as much as they did in the later stages of the postseason, Simmons can do so. The pressure of Madison Square Garden is a potential issue, but we're talking about a 10-15-minute reserve here, not a star. It's a low-risk, high-reward gamble." Read more: Bulls Receive Disappointing Nikola Vucevic Update: Report Simmons has never been able to live up to the hype of being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. He has had some injury issues in recent years, but his confidence took a major hit with the Philadelphia 76ers as well. Last season, Simmons played in 51 games and made 24 starts between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. He averaged five points per game to go along with 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds. While Simmons may not be a star, he could end up being a great pickup for the Knicks' second unit should they choose to pursue him. For more on the New York Knicks and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Knicks superstar excited about adding Jordan Clarkson
The New York Knicks made a couple of big free agent signings at the start of free agency. One of those was signing former Sixth Man of the Year award winner Jordan Clarkson on a veteran's minimum. Knicks' Jalen Brunson is excited about Jordan Clarkson signing Clarkson is a valuable addition for New York, as he will help with the bench scoring issue that the team struggled with last season. They were dead last in bench points and had very little shot creation off the bench, and Clarkson should help fix that tremendously. The addition has the approval of team captain and superstar point guard Jalen Brunson. Speaking on his and Josh Hart's podcast titled 'Roommates Show,' he expressed excitement for what Clarkson can bring to the table. 'I know him,' Brunson said. 'Talked to him for a little bit. Good dude. Surrounds himself with good people that I know. A great addition for us, for sure.' Clarkson gives the Knicks an elite bench scorer Clarkson is still one of the top bench scorers in the league and can provide a lot for New York's bench. Last season, he averaged 16.2 points and shot 36.2% from three-point range. Since 2020, Clarkson has led all bench scorers in total points with 4,589. The next closest is Malik Monk with 3,882 points. Along with the addition of Clarkson, the Knicks signed Guerschon Yabusele to a two-year, $12 million contract to further enhance the bench scoring. The team is also looking at the free agent market to add more in the backcourt on a veteran's minimum, as they have room to sign one more player. Clarkson's signing is very much a low-risk, high-reward signing, and he could provide a ton of value for a Knicks team that is poised to make a run at an NBA title next season. Related Headlines Yankees acquire quality utility man batting .270 to hit left-handed pitching Royals acquire Diamondbacks outfielder as trade season heats up Rays could be open to dealing 2 talented infielders if they keep sliding Giants' former 1st-round pick making crucial training adjustment in hopes of better season
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mike Brown adding familiar faces to revamped Knicks coaching staff
Freshly hired New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown is bringing in some familiar faces to fill out his bench. Brown, a two-time Coach of the Year with the Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers, joined New York after the team unceremoniously dumped five-year head coach Tom Thibodeau earlier this offseason. Now, he'll strive to help what looks like a loaded roster attempt to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. The Knicks posted a 51-31 record and made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals last year, where they fell in six games to the Indiana Pacers. READ MORE:Knicks executive reveals plan for possible Mikal Bridges extension The Boston Celtics and Pacers are both likely to be without their best players, All-NBA stars Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, for most or all of 2025-26 as they recover from Achilles tendon tears incurred during the playoffs. That leaves a major void at the top of the Eastern Conference, with the Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers poised to capitalize. Brown is bringing in reinforcements from his past as he continues to build out his bench. Sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype that the Knicks are set to hire former Sacramento Kings assistant coaches Charles Allen and Riccardo Fois. Allen and Fois will help Brown navigate a Knicks roster that has added two battle-tested vets to its impressive top seven. Power forward Guerschon Yabusele and combo guard Jordan Clarkson now join All-NBA stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, All-Defensive Team wings OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, 3-and-D shooting guard Josh Hart, and reserves Mitchell Robinson and Miles McBride. READ MORE:Expert breaks down how Mike Brown can improve Knicks' offense
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Knicks linked to former Clippers sharpshooter
The New York Knicks have already made numerous additions to beef up their second unit ahead of next season. Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele have already joined the party, and the Knicks might not be done quite yet. The Knicks still have one remaining contract that they can hand out in free agency, and many players have come up as potential targets. Sports Illustrated's Henry Brown mentioned Amir Coffey as a potential fit for the Knicks. 'He played over 24 minutes per game in 2024-25 before slipping out of the playoff rotation in a tight, seven-game loss against the Denver Nuggets, but he won't be asked to play big minutes should the Knicks pick him up,' Brown wrote. 'They're already projected to go at least nine-deep on the regular between their talented starting lineup and improved bench, and could use a 40+ 3-point shooter to improve the spacing of their reserve lineups.' Coffey has spent his entire six-season career with the Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 6.7 points and 1.1 assists per game in his career. This past season, Coffey averaged a career-high 9.7 points per game in 72 appearances (13 starts), and shot 41 percent from three-point range. Coffey could provide the Knicks with added spacing off the bench, and also as a versatile wing in the second unit. Standing at 6-foot-7, Coffey can play at shooting guard or small forward, and gives the team a lot of versatility to mix-and-match lineups.
