Knicks’ Head Coach Target Named ‘Long Shot’ After Report
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Knicks-Grizzlies Trade Report Surfaces After Desmond Bane Move
Knicks-Grizzlies Trade Report Surfaces After Desmond Bane Move. Memphis Grizzlies sent guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for four first-round picks. New York Knicks have an eye on one of its stars, via ClutchPoints’ Kris Pursiainen. Knicks president Leon Rose was also the younger Jackson’s agent when he worked for Creative Artists Agency (CAA), alongside fellow agent Austin Brown. Jackson signed with Rose and Brown for representation before getting drafted in 2018, then took the New York job in March 2020.
The NBA offseason hasn’t started, but that didn’t stop the Memphis Grizzlies from making the summer’s first blockbuster trade on Sunday. They sent guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for four first-round picks, a first-round pick swap, guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and guard Cole Anthony.
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This continues a transitional time for the Grizzlies, as they named Tuomas Iisalo their new head coach in May after he was the interim coach following Taylor Jenkins’ firing. Now they’ll be without their third-leading scorer from this season, as Bane averaged 19.2 points on 48.4 percent shooting (39.2 percent 3 PT) over 69 games.
However, Memphis may not stop there, as the New York Knicks have an eye on one of its stars, via ClutchPoints’ Kris Pursiainen.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. drives past Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski at FedExForum on Jan. 25, 2025.Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
“But sources familiar with the situation tell ClutchPoints that at least one key member of the Knicks’ front office has long been interested in [forward Jaren] Jackson Jr. as a trade target,” he reported on Monday morning.
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“The Knicks’ acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns last offseason didn’t nullify this interest, either,” he continued. “League sources say that a Jackson Jr. and Karl-Anthony Towns frontcourt would be a ‘dream’ pairing for New York in their starting lineup.”
Jackson’s father, Jaren Jackson Sr., was an assistant coach for New York’s G-League affiliate from 2021-23. Knicks president Leon Rose was also the younger Jackson’s agent when he worked for Creative Artists Agency (CAA), alongside fellow agent Austin Brown. The two-time All-Star is still represented by Brown.
Jackson signed with Rose and Brown for representation before getting drafted in 2018. Rose then took the New York job in March 2020.
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Jackson will make $23.4 million next season, the last on his rookie extension.
Related: Scotty Pippen Jr. Facing Backlash for Ja Morant Message After Grizzlies’ Loss
Related: UConn’s Dan Hurley is Trending After Major Knicks Coaching News
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Knicks’ Head Coach Target Named ‘Long Shot’ After Report
Knicks’ Head Coach Target Named ‘Long Shot’ After Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Knicks have reportedly interviewed former Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown along with former Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins. Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant had emerged as one of the favorites to be the next head coach in New York, though that no longer seems the case. The New York Knicks made the shocking decision to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau after he helped lead them to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000.
The New York Knicks enter the NBA offseason as the only team in the league still searching for their next head coach.
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Of course, the Knicks made the shocking decision to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau after he helped lead them to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000.
Despite New York’s success this season, they clearly felt that it was time for a change on the sidelines and they now have a crucial decision to make in their head coaching search.
Former New York Knicks head coach Tom ThibodeauVincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
It has been reported that the Knicks tried to interview Jason Kidd, Chris Finch Ime Udoka, Billy Donovan and Quin Snyder, but their teams all denied New York a chance to do so.
Now the Knicks have pivoted in a different direction as they have reportedly interviewed former Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown along with former Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins.
© Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
Another coached linked to the Knicks’ job is Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant, who was also a finalist for the Phoenix Suns’ head coaching job before they decided to hire Jordan Ott.
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While Bryant has been linked to New York, Knicks insider Ian Begley recently reported that he remains a “long shot” to become the franchise’s next head coach.
“I heard late last week that Johnnie was more of a longer shot there,” Begley said. When you’re talking about the coaches who’ve been in or will be in for interviews, the guys we’ve already talked about, I think those are the guys who have much higher odds of landing this thing than Johnnie Bryant.”
This is a massive report by Begley as Bryant had emerged as one of the favorites to be the next head coach in New York, though that no longer seems to be the case.
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Of course, it seems as though the Knicks are looking to hire a coach who already has experience as a head coach in the NBA and because of that, it looks as though they will head in a different direction than Bryant.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
REPORT: Knicks interested in targeting Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is the latest player to be linked to the New York Knicks. The Grizzlies traded Desmond Bane to the Knicks on Sunday. The Knicks have been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, and Mikal Bridges in the past. Jackson Jr.’s shooting, if capitalized upon, would allow the Knicks to play two big men while still running out a five-out scheme. He would also give New York the kind of rim-protecting big man it lacked in its Mitchell Robinson-less minutes last season. He is not the best rebounder for his size or position, but that still seems like a minor downside considering everything else he could provide the Knicks. But we know that this front office will turn every stone they can, even if the chances of it paying off are very little. We don’t even know if the Grizzlies are listening to offers, and even if they were.
Who will the Knicks hire to replace Tom Thibodeau? Are they going to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kevin Durant? And what will become of Mikal Bridges and the extension that he will be eligible for in less than a month?
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These questions have dominated the sports news cycle, and has reminded sports fans that the age old adage of “Knicks for clicks” is at an all-time high. But with yesterday’s surprising trade of Desmond Bane, a new name has appeared as the Knicks’ latest target-Jaren Jackson Jr.
According to ClutchPoints’ Kris Pursiainen, the Knicks may have their eyes on Jackson Jr., and see him as an ideal candidate to pair alongside All-NBA big man Karl-Anthony Towns.
“At least one key member of the Knicks’ front office has long been interested in Jackson Jr. as a trade target. The Knicks’ acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns last offseason didn’t nullify this interest, either. League sources say that a Jackson Jr. and Karl-Anthony Towns frontcourt would be a ‘dream’ pairing for New York in their starting lineup.” — ClutchPoints’ Kris Pursiainen
This makes a lot of sense as Jackson Jr.’s shooting, if capitalized upon, would allow the Knicks to play two big men while still running out a five-out scheme. That would be the kind of spacing the Knicks hoped to surround Brunson with last season.
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Adding JJJ would also give New York the kind of rim-protecting big man it lacked in its Mitchell Robinson-less minutes last season. That being said, with Jackson Jr. not being the best rebounder for his size or position, it could lead to some problems. But that still seems like a minor downside considering everything else he could provide the Knicks.
Now, obviously, it takes two to tango. Memphis now finds itself in an interesting position where nobody really knows what they are going to do. On one hand, Sunday’s Bane trade could’ve been made with one thing in mind- rid themselves of Bane’s contract so that they can extend Jackson Jr., and build around him and Ja Morant. That’s what ESPN’s Shams Charania has initially gathered from sources around the league and close to the Grizzlies.
On the other hand, the trade could be a sign that the Grizzlies are open to blowing it all up and starting from scratch, whether that’s now or in a few days, weeks, or months. If they were to do so, and become sellers, Jackson Jr. would draw a lot of interest from a lot of teams. And the Knicks would have quite the competition. With that being the case, the Knicks, who lack of kind of assets that the Grizzlies would likely want in return, would be a long shot to acquire the All-Star big man unless a third team got involved, or unless Jackson Jr. asks to get traded specifically to the Knicks- two things that also seem unlikely.
This could just be another rumor that, like the Antetokounmpo and Durant whispers, has very little meaning. But we know that this front office will turn every stone they can, even if the chances of it paying off are very little. We don’t even know if the Grizzlies are listening to offers, and even if they were, the Knicks would need a miracle to land the highly coveted power forward.
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That said, people didn’t really expect the Bridges or Towns trade to occur in the manner that it did last year either, so never say never.
More from postingandtoasting.com:
1 Ambitious Trade Target for Every NBA Team
Jaden Ivey showed growth in 30 games before he went down with a broken fibula. He’s still a dubious bet as Cade Cunningham’s long-term backcourt running mate. Washington needs high-upside assets on the strength of his athleticism, last year’s shooting growth and draft pedigree.
30 of 30
Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards’ first priority should be chasing bloated contracts with picks attached this offseason. If they can’t find any of those, they need to pursue young players who haven’t delivered on their predraft promise with their original teams for whatever reason.
Jaden Ivey falls into the second category.
Ivey showed growth in 30 games this past season before he went down with a broken fibula, scoring 17.6 points and shooting a career-best 40.9 percent from deep. He’s still a dubious bet as Cade Cunningham’s long-term backcourt running mate.
The Detroit Pistons made the playoffs and took two games off the New York Knicks in the first round without him, and Ivey is extension-eligible this offseason. That means the Pistons don’t necessarily have the luxury of patience with the guy whom they took at No. 5 in the 2022 draft.
Washington needs high-upside assets. Ivey qualifies on the strength of his athleticism, last year’s small-sample shooting growth and draft pedigree.
If the Pistons aren’t sure about him or don’t want to deal with paying his next contract, the Wizards should be primed to pounce.
$112 Million Forward Named “Ambitious” Trade Target for Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have three clear roster needs heading into the offseason. Steve Kerr’s team needs additional athleticism, wing shooting and some additional playmaking. Bobby Portis would need to decline his $13.5 million player option for him to hit the free ageny market. The Warriors must also decide whether to keep Jonathan Kuminga, who is heading into restricted free agency.“The scuttlebutt around the NBA is that the Warriors will very likely find a way to hang onto JK,” Monte Poole said. “It doesn’t mean he’s going to be a long-term answer. They can just move him later.”“Golden State has always been a team to monitor for Portis, who has a notable fan in head coach Steve Kerr from their shared days during the 2023 FIBA World Cup competition with USA Basketball”
According to Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes, Trey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans could solve all of those problems. Of course, he would be an ambitious trade target for the franchise.
“Inked to a team-friendly four-year, $112 million extension that’ll keep him underpaid through his mid-20s, the rangy wing averaged a career-high 21.2 points and 3.5 assists per game last year. A good defender who can also attack the rim at high altitude, Murphy is a career 38.3 percent long-range sniper whose only real question mark is health…Almost any deal would have to involve Brandin Podziemski, whom Golden State was loath to move last summer.”
Murphy II is arguably the Pelicans’ most tradable asset. Teams would instantly spark a bidding war if he became available. This past season, Murphy averaged 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 53 games. He shot 45.4% from the field and 36.1% from 3-point range.
Given the potential cost of striking a deal with the Pelicans, Murphy is unlikely to be heading to the Bay Area this summer. Nevertheless, he would be a major addition to Kerr’s rotation.
Warriors a ‘Team to Monitor’ for Bobby Portis
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Warriors could pursue Bobby Portis in free agency. Portis would need to decline his $13.5 million player option for him to hit the free ageny market.
“Team executives expect Portis to have numerous potential landing spots in the midlevel market as well, although Milwaukee would like to bring back the 30-year-old forward, sources say,” Fischer reported. “Golden State has always been a team to monitor for Portis, who has a notable fan in head coach Steve Kerr from their shared days during the 2023 FIBA World Cup competition with USA Basketball.”
Fischer would add size, scoring and toughness to Kerr’s rotation. He would be a strong addition, especially in terms of improving the second unit. However, it’s unlikely the Warriors can improve on the current salary Portis is set to earn, which could be a stumbling block.
Warriors Could Keep Jonathan Kuminga
Beyond looking to add new faces to the rotation, the Warriors must also decide whether to keep Jonathan Kuminga, who is heading into restricted free agency. Kuminga has been floated in multiple sign-and-trade rumors. However, Monte Poole recently reported the Warriors are “very likely” to re-sign Kuminga this summer.
“The scuttlebutt around the NBA is that the Warriors will very likely find a way to hang onto JK,” Poole said. “It doesn’t mean he’s going to be a long-term answer. They can just move him later.”
By re-signing Kuminga, the Warriors would have a high-level trade chip. It’s unlikely the explosive forward would see out the duration of his deal with the franchise. Still, if Golden State receives a good enough offer, Kuminga could be free to swap teams.
After all, he’s struggled to earn a legitimate spot in Kerr’s rotation, and that doesn’t project to be an issue that will change any time soon.