Knicks Pursue Pablo Prigioni for Coaching Position
In a recent development, the New York Knicks have secured the green light to engage in discussions with Pablo Prigioni, an assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves, regarding a position on head coach Mike Brown’s staff. Prigioni, who boasts a history with the Knicks as a player, has been instrumental in fine-tuning Minnesota’s offensive strategies under the guidance of Chris Finch.
Coaching Staff Changes
As the Knicks aim to bolster their coaching team, they envision welcoming at least one new assistant. Notably, some members of the previous coaching staff under Tom Thibodeau—such as Maurice Cheeks, Mark Bryant, Rick Brunson, and Darren Erman—are set to continue in their roles with Brown.
Prigioni’s Coaching Career
For Prigioni, a transition to New York would likely represent an advancement in his coaching career. The 48-year-old‘s extensive background in the sport includes prior assistant coaching stints in both Brooklyn and Minnesota. His NBA journey began with the Knicks during the 2012-2013 season, where at the age of 35, he made history as the oldest rookie to debut in the league.
That season was notably impactful; he initially served as a backup point guard but stepped up to a starting role following injuries within the team. His contributions were crucial as the Knicks surged to an impressive 17 wins in their last 19 games.
Additionally, Prigioni played a key role in the playoffs, helping propel the Knicks past the Boston Celtics in the opening round.
Shared Interests and Future Prospects
The fact that Minnesota has allowed the Knicks to pursue Prigioni suggests a shared interest between the coach and the franchise. While the Knicks had previously explored the possibility of adding coaches like Jay Triano from Dallas and Darvin Ham from Milwaukee to their staff, both are expected to remain with their current organizations. Similarly, former coach Terry Stotts, rumored to be in contention for the Knicks’ position, has also decided to stay with the Golden State Warriors for the upcoming season.
