Mike Brown and the New York Knicks have already begun reshaping their coaching staff. With one primary target now going out the window.
Per SNY’s Ian Begley, Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Pablo Prigioni — who the Knicks recently requested, and were granted permission to interview — decided to stay in Minnesota. According to Begley, family reasons were the driving factor behind the decision.
Prigioni has been with the Timberwolves since 2019, and has also been an assistant with the Brooklyn Nets. He also played for the Knicks from 2012-2015, spending time as a depth point guard.
The Knicks had also previously shown interest in New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego, Dallas Mavericks assistant Jay Triano, and are currently showing interest in Los Angeles Clippers assistant Brendan O’Connor, per Begley’s report.
O’Connor has been with the Clippers since 2013, working under both Tyronn Lue and Doc Rivers, and was previously with the Knicks for one year in 2005-06 under Larry Brown. According to Begley, O’Connor brings plenty of wisdom on the defensive side of the ball, and as such has become a primary target for the Knicks.
Earlier this week, Brown made the decision to cut ties with five assistants, including Tom Thibodeau’s nephew, Nick. Rick Brunson, father of the team’s star guard Jalen Brunson, will remain with the Knicks next season, but in a reduced role compared to his previous position of associate head coach.
