{"id":143362,"date":"2025-06-03T20:32:19","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T00:32:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=143362"},"modified":"2025-06-03T20:32:19","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T00:32:19","slug":"odds-for-next-knicks-coach-offers-some-interesting-surprises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/03\/odds-for-next-knicks-coach-offers-some-interesting-surprises\/","title":{"rendered":"Odds For Next Knicks Coach Offers Some Interesting Surprises"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>NEW YORK \u2013 The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/knicks\/\" target=\"_self\">New York Knicks<\/a> stunned fans by <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.co.uk\/nba\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">parting ways<\/a> with Tom Thibodeau. After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, Thibodeau seemed safe. He had delivered back-to-back 50+ win seasons\u2014something Knicks fans hadn\u2019t seen since the 1990s. But management wanted more. Knicks president Leon Rose said the move was about \u201cdoing what\u2019s best\u201d for the team\u2019s championship push. That message? Loud and clear. Now, with Thibodeau gone, the spotlight shifts to the search for his replacement. Bovada has released the odds for the next Knicks head coach. According to Bovada, several intriguing names sit atop the list\u2014some expected, some surprising, and others full of potential.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Odds For Next Knicks Coach Offers Some Interesting Surprises<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3>Johnnie Bryant Leads the Pack<\/h3>\n<p>Johnnie Bryant holds the best odds at +240. The <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=cavaliers+lwos&amp;oq=ca&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCAgAEEUYJxg7MggIABBFGCcYOzIGCAEQRRg5MgYIAhBFGDsyBggDECMYJzIGCAQQRRg9MgYIBRBFGDwyBggGEEUYPDINCAcQLhiRAhiABBiKBTINCAgQLhiRAhiABBiKBTIMCAkQABhDGIAEGIoFMgwIChAAGEMYgAQYigUyDAgLEAAYQxiABBiKBTITCAwQLhiDARjHARixAxjRAxiABDINCA0QABiDARixAxiABDITCA4QLhiDARjHARixAxjRAxiABNIBCDExODdqMGo0qAIOsAIB8QWteqrgLgNc1Q&amp;client=ms-android-att-us&amp;sourceid=chrome-mobile&amp;ie=UTF-8\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cavaliers<\/a> assistant also a <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.co.uk\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45435950\/sources-cavaliers-bryant-ott-finalists-suns-coaching-job\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">finalist for the Suns\u2019 head coaching job,<\/a> so teams are clearly impressed. Known for his strong player development and modern offensive outlook, Bryant has connected well with young talent. Knicks brass could see him as someone who could grow alongside their core players.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Knicks next coach odds: <\/p>\n<p>Johnnie Bryant +240<br \/>Kenny Atkinson +400<br \/>James Borrego +950<br \/>Mike Budenholzer +950<br \/>Patrick Ewing +950<br \/>Sam Cassell +950<br \/>Frank Vogel +1100<br \/>Chris Quinn +1400<br \/>Jay Wright +1400<br \/>Mark Jackson +1400<br \/>Mike D\u2019Antoni +2000<br \/>Becky Hammon (LVA) +2500<br \/>Jeff Van Gundy +2500\u2026 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/inyiu66fHs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/inyiu66fHs<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheDunkCentral\/status\/1929985366381249007?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 3, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Hiring Bryant would signal a move toward stability and long-term development. He isn\u2019t a household name yet, but the odds suggest he may not be a secret for much longer.<\/p>\n<h3>Kenny Atkinson: The Local Favorite<\/h3>\n<p>At +400, Kenny Atkinson\u2019s name brings both logic and emotion. He just led the Cavaliers to 64 wins and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/05\/06\/how-448-miles-helped-kenny-atkinson-win-coach-of-the-year\/\" target=\"_self\">earned Coach of the Year honors<\/a>. While he signed a long-term deal in Cleveland a year ago, his Long Island roots make the Knicks job tempting.<\/p>\n<p>Atkinson\u2019s ability to develop talent stands out. He helped turn the Nets into playoff contenders. If the Cavaliers\u2019 front office allowed it, the Knicks could bring him home. Based on the current odds for the next Knicks coach, he\u2019s a strong dark horse.<\/p>\n<h3>Mid-Tier Contenders: Borrego, Budenholzer, Ewing, Cassell<\/h3>\n<p>Several candidates share +950 odds. Each brings something different:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>James Borrego offers a strong offensive mind and head coaching experience. He worked under Gregg Popovich and coached the Hornets between 2018 and 2022. His tactical know-how and steady demeanor would suit Madison Square Garden.<\/li>\n<li>Mike Budenholzer brings championship pedigree. He won a title with the Bucks in 2021 and has two Coach of the Year trophies. Bud&#8217;s reputation took a huge hit after his recent coaching stint on the Suns. Still, he&#8217;s a widely respected basketball mind.<\/li>\n<li><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/e\/ewingpa01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Patrick Ewing<\/a>, a Knicks icon, would make headlines. Fans may love the idea of him returning as head coach. He coached Georgetown for six seasons and spent time as an NBA assistant. Still, questions remain about whether he can navigate the demands of today\u2019s NBA bench.<\/li>\n<li><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/cassesa01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sam Cassell<\/a> has NBA Finals experience as a player and spent time as an assistant coach with playoff-bound teams like the Clippers. Known for his leadership and motivational energy, Cassell could be a sleeper pick.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These names represent different strengths, from NBA titles to deep player relationships. If the Knicks choose one of them, it won\u2019t be without solid reasoning.<\/p>\n<h3>Stephen A. Smith: The Entertainment Pick<\/h3>\n<p>Yes, Stephen A. Smith appears on the list\u2014with +6000 odds. It\u2019s the longest shot by far, but it reflects his deep passion for the team. While Smith has never coached, his name remains synonymous with Knicks fandom. The odds feel more like a playful gesture than a serious option, but hey\u2014stranger things have happened.<\/p>\n<h3>More Names in the Mix<\/h3>\n<p>The Knicks next coach odds also include notable names like Frank Vogel (+1100), Chris Quinn (+1400), and Jay Wright (+1400). Each brings unique skills:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Vogel won a championship with the Lakers and has a defensive mindset.<\/li>\n<li>Quinn rose through the Heat system and could bridge veterans and youth.<\/li>\n<li>Wright built a college dynasty at Villanova but lacks NBA head coaching experience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Mark Jackson, Mike D\u2019Antoni, Becky Hammon, Jeff Van Gundy, Jerry Stackhouse, Adrian Griffin, and Micah Nori round out the list. While their odds range from +1400 to +2800, any could jump the line if interviews go well or team priorities shift.<\/p>\n<h3>Why Thibodeau\u2019s Time Ran Out<\/h3>\n<p>Though Thibodeau brought success, the Knicks felt his <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/03\/four-key-reasons-why-knicks-got-rid-of-tom-thibodeau\/\" target=\"_self\">voice had grown stale.<\/a> His rigid rotations drew criticism. His offensive sets relied too much on <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/brunsja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jalen Brunson<\/a>. The pairing with <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/townska01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Karl-Anthony Towns<\/a> never clicked. And the he never trusted his bench until it was too late.<\/p>\n<p>Multiple sources said players quietly grew tired of Thibodeau\u2019s heavy-handed approach. Even stars like <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bridgmi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mikal Bridges<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2025\/03\/12\/sports\/why-mikal-bridges-asked-tom-thibodeau-to-play-knicks-starters-less\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">reportedly asked for reduced minutes.<\/a> When the team struggled to adjust against Rick Carlisle\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/pacers\/\" target=\"_self\">Indiana Pacers<\/a>, the writing was on the wall.<\/p>\n<h3>Odds for Next Knicks Head Coach Reveal Some Interesting Names<\/h3>\n<p>The Knicks want to win now. Every candidate in the pool offers something unique. Whether they go with a modern mind like Bryant, a proven winner like Budenholzer, or a bold name like Ewing, the next coach must deliver results\u2014and fast.<\/p>\n<p>With a talented core and massive expectations, the pressure is real.<\/p>\n<p><label>Credit: <\/label>\u00a9 Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NEW YORK \u2013 The New York Knicks stunned fans by parting ways with Tom Thibodeau. After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, Thibodeau seemed safe. He had delivered back-to-back 50+ win seasons\u2014something Knicks fans hadn\u2019t seen since the 1990s. But management wanted more. Knicks president Leon Rose said the move was about \u201cdoing what\u2019s best\u201d for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5018,"featured_media":143370,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,1608,12,3],"tags":[29073,49173,132,1557,987,922,49168,236,1069,550,495,415,2207,3836,215],"class_list":["post-143362","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba","category-basketball","category-knicks","category-news","tag-becky-hammon","tag-chris-quinn","tag-frank-vogel","tag-james-borrego","tag-jay-wright","tag-jeff-van-gundy","tag-johnnie-bryant","tag-kenny-atkinson","tag-mark-jackson","tag-mike-budenholzer","tag-mike-dantoni","tag-patrick-ewing","tag-sam-cassell","tag-stephen-a-smith","tag-tom-thibodeau"],"modified_by":"Frederick Okocha","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143362","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5018"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=143362"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143362\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":143375,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143362\/revisions\/143375"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/143370"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=143362"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=143362"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=143362"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}