Knicks Near Mike Brown Hire, Plan Staff Changes Amid Free Agency

The New York Knicks are set to hire Mike Brown as their new head coach, ending a month-long search after firing Tom Thibodeau. Brown, known for his offensive strategies and success with the Sacramento Kings, is expected to revamp the Knicks' pace and ball movement, which have lagged in recent seasons. The Knicks have already made free agency additions, signing Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele to bolster their bench depth, with Brown reportedly interested in bringing New Orleans assistant James Borrego onto his staff despite Pelicans' resistance. Meanwhile, the Lakers made a notable free agency move by signing Deandre Ayton, a top center, while the Knicks showed some interest in Ayton despite already having two centers, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson. Additionally, the Lakers lost wing Dorian Finney-Smith to the Rockets after Lakers GM Rob Pelinka allegedly tried to devalue Finney-Smith's free agency value by spreading concerns about his ankle surgery, a tactic that ultimately failed as Finney-Smith secured a lucrative contract in Houston.