The New York Knicks have received approval to speak with Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Pablo Prigioni regarding a potential role on the coaching staff under recently hired head coach Mike Brown.
Pablo Prigioni’s Coaching Journey
Prigioni brings considerable credibility to NBA coaching circles after spending six seasons orchestrating Minnesota’s offensive schemes. The 48-year-old former point guard from Argentina has earned recognition for designing systems that prioritize floor spacing and three-point shooting. During his Minneapolis tenure, he built a particularly strong rapport with ex-All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns — ironically, before Towns found his way to New York via trade this past October.
A Familiar Face at Madison Square Garden
Prigioni’s connection to New York runs deeper than most coaching candidates. He actually suited up for the Knicks from 2012 to 2015, making headlines when he became the oldest rookie in NBA history at age 35. His coaching resume also includes a stint with the Brooklyn Nets during their impressive 2018-19 playoff run, before joining Minnesota’s staff after leaving Brooklyn.
Navigating a Complicated Coaching Hunt
Getting clearance to interview Prigioni represents a breakthrough for the Knicks, who’ve faced roadblocks throughout their coaching search since unexpectedly parting ways with Tom Thibodeau — the man who guided them to the Eastern Conference finals. The organization had been turned down in their pursuit of several high-profile head coaches, including Dallas’s Jason Kidd, Houston’s Ime Udoka, Atlanta’s Quin Snyder, and Minnesota’s own Chris Finch, who happens to be Prigioni’s current boss.
Building Brown’s Support System
Though Brown enjoys full authority in constructing his coaching staff, sources indicate that multiple members from Thibodeau’s previous group — including Mark Bryant, Maurice Cheeks, Darren Erman, and Rick Brunson — could stick around. Brown may look to install a longtime confidant in the associate head coach position, a role Brunson previously occupied.
The organization also showed interest in New Orleans assistant James Borrego, though the Pelicans seem determined to keep him within their own coaching structure.
