The Knicks have received permission to speak with Minnesota assistant coach Pablo Prigioni for openings on Mike Brown’s staff, league sources tell SNY.
Prigioni, a former Knick, has been focused on the Timberwolves offense under head coach Chris Finch.
The Knicks are looking to add at least one assistant coach to Brown’s staff. Several members of Tom Thibodeau’s coaching staff – including Maurice Cheeks, Mark Bryant, Rick Brunson, and Darren Erman – will remain on staff under Brown.
A move to New York would presumably be a promotion for Prigioni. The 48-year-old has also coached as an assistant in Brooklyn and Minnesota. Prigioni’s NBA career started with the Knicks in 2012-2013. At 35, he was the oldest rookie in NBA history. He also made a huge impact on that Knicks team. Priogini began the season as a backup point guard and was inserted into the starting lineup due to injury. New York finished the regular season with 17 wins in its final 19 games.
Prigioni also started for the Knicks in the playoffs, helping them defeat the Boston Celtics in the first round.
Because the Timberwolves granted the Knicks permission to speak to Prigioni, It’s logical to assume there is mutual interest between the coach and the organization.
The Knicks reportedly also had interest in adding Jay Triano (DAL) and Darvin Ham (MIL) to the staff but both coaches are expected to remain with their current teams.
I don’t know if Terry Stotts was a candidate for the Knicks opening, but he will also be remaining with his current team (GSW) next season, per league sources familiar with the matter.
Deuce endorses new-look bench
Miles McBride is excited about playing with Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele.
“Obviously (Clarkson’s) a vet in this league. He’s done great things. Obviously, he can fill up the stat sheet and really score the ball at a high level. And obviously adding Geurschon as well. I think everybody’s seen what he did in the Olympics and carrying that momentum into (last season), so we’re really excited about him,” McBride told SNY last week during an appearance at NYC Basketball Kids Camp in Manhattan.
We don’t know how Knicks coach Mike Brown will deploy his rotation. But it’s logical to think that McBride will play significant minutes with Clarkson and Yabusele.
“I feel like we’re going to play fast, we’re going to be using a lot of different guys,” McBride said. “If you saw the Finals, they (Oklahoma City and Indiana) had a lot of depth on both teams, and I feel like we’re all NBA guys. So if you’re on the team, I feel like you’re able to help out.”
McBride talked to SNY before meeting with kids at the camp, which was sponsored by Playbook Basketball Management Software.
McBride has attended the camp four times.
“Being able to inspire the youth and give back to the community that supports me so much, it’s really easy on my part,” McBride said. “They do a great job, so I just love coming back.”
McBride has also written a children’s book, Deuce: The Champion of Friendship. He hopes that the book will “really encourage positivity and friendship and being loyal to people that care about you.”
“If one kid takes this book and sees something that can inspire them to do something great, that’s my goal,” McBride said. “Obviously, I want more. But I just want to impact everyone I’m around positively.”
McBride was also asked about Brown during the interview.
“We’ve definitely had a good couple of conversations. He’s really excited. I’m really excited. And I think it’s going to be a great year,” McBride said.
McBride noted that the decision to fire Tom Thibodeau was ‘above my pay-grade’ but added that Thibodeau ‘a great job’ in New York.
“The run we’ve had, winning 50 games (and playoff success); it’s above my pay grade on the decisions but I’m excited to start this new chapter,” McBride said.
