New York Knicks Eye Return of Pablo Prigioni to Join Mike Brown’s Coaching Staff Amid Crucial Offseason Overhaul

The New York Knicks’ offseason may have started later than hoped, but things are finally beginning to take shape under new head coach Mike Brown. After an extended delay in finalizing the front office’s decision-making process, Brown is now tasked with assembling a coaching staff that can elevate the team into true championship contention. However, hiring a new staff hasn’t been easy. Several coaching candidates have been off-limits due to current contracts or organizational resistance, creating an early bottleneck for the Knicks’ new leadership.

But according to SNY’s Ian Begley, the Knicks may have just scored a critical breakthrough. The franchise has reportedly been granted permission to interview Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Pablo Prigioni—a name that resonates deeply with Knicks fans. Prigioni, who played for New York from 2012 to 2015, is not only a familiar face in Madison Square Garden but has also grown into one of the NBA’s most well-respected minds on the sidelines.

Since joining Minnesota’s staff, Prigioni has served as the team’s offensive coordinator, guiding the Timberwolves’ young, explosive core to new heights. Under his direction, the Wolves developed into one of the Western Conference’s most potent and balanced offensive units, with Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mike Conley all thriving in roles built around spacing, ball movement, and calculated aggression. The Timberwolves’ playoff run in 2024—featuring a stunning upset of the defending champion Denver Nuggets—only solidified Prigioni’s growing reputation across the league.

New York’s interest in Prigioni reflects both strategic foresight and sentimental value. As a cerebral point guard in his playing days, Prigioni was known for his composure, savvy, and leadership. Those qualities have seamlessly translated into coaching, where his calm demeanor and analytical approach have made him a favorite among players and fellow coaches alike. He’s also bilingual, fluent in both Spanish and English, allowing him to connect with a diverse roster—a skill not lost on an organization with international stars and a global fanbase.

Bringing Prigioni back to New York could represent a turning point for a franchise trying to chart a new direction while maintaining ties to its recent past. Knicks fans remember Prigioni not just as a player, but as a professional who always gave his all on the court. He wasn’t flashy, but he was reliable and smart, someone who always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. Those same traits are now part of his coaching DNA, which could prove invaluable to Mike Brown as he tries to bring structure and innovation to a team hungry for postseason success.

Brown, who most recently coached the Sacramento Kings, is known for his defensive emphasis and his ability to develop cohesive locker rooms. But offensively, his schemes have often leaned on the talents of assistant coaches to fine-tune rhythm and spacing. Adding Prigioni could give Brown exactly the offensive counterbalance his staff needs—an analytical thinker with experience developing playmakers and coordinating sets designed to exploit modern defensive trends.

The timing of this permission is especially crucial. After being repeatedly denied access to top assistants from other NBA franchises, including potential targets in Miami and Denver, the Knicks finally have an open lane to pursue a high-caliber coaching mind. It’s a rare “yes” in a sea of “no” during an offseason that has so far offered few wins on the coaching front.

Another intriguing subplot is Prigioni’s relationship with some of the Knicks’ current players and personnel. Though the roster has turned over significantly since his playing days, several members of the organization, including team president Leon Rose and executive William Wesley, have longstanding relationships with him. That familiarity could ease the transition and foster early cohesion within the staff. Additionally, if Prigioni joins, it may increase the appeal of the Knicks to certain free agents or veterans who’ve played under his guidance or appreciate his approach to the game.

The Knicks are also expected to retain some of Tom Thibodeau’s former assistants to ensure continuity. But Brown’s staff will ultimately be a blend of old and new, a fusion of foundational discipline and modern versatility. In this structure, Prigioni could serve as a connector—someone who understands the legacy of the organization while also representing its forward-thinking ambitions.

Adding to the intrigue is the Knicks’ broader ambition. This isn’t just about coaching. This is about creating an infrastructure where player development, communication, and tactical evolution happen seamlessly. The Knicks are no longer content with first-round exits or playoff flirtations. They want a sustainable system. And in today’s NBA, that system is built as much in the film room and practice gym as it is on the hardwood.

Fans should also remember that coaching hires often set the tone for how a franchise operates in the years ahead. When Steve Kerr brought in Ron Adams, or when Erik Spoelstra elevated Chris Quinn and Dan Craig, those decisions reverberated beyond X’s and O’s. They helped build identity and shaped culture. Prigioni—if hired—could be a similarly symbolic and practical step in the Knicks’ evolution.

It’s also worth noting that while Prigioni has never been a head coach in the NBA, he led Argentina’s national team in international competition and served as the lead assistant during key FIBA tournaments. That head coaching experience on the international stage gave him a crash course in balancing stars, improvising strategy, and navigating pressure—skills that translate seamlessly to the NBA’s high-stakes environment.

There’s no guarantee yet that Prigioni will accept the position, or even that the interview will result in a hire. But the green light alone signals progress. After weeks of frustration, the Knicks are finally gaining momentum in a critical area that could define the early tenure of Mike Brown. They’re not just seeking any assistants—they’re looking for the right ones. Ones who understand basketball. Ones who connect. Ones who know what it means to wear orange and blue.

Pablo Prigioni checks all those boxes.

If the deal gets done, it won’t just be another assistant added to a coaching list. It will be a homecoming—and maybe, just maybe, the piece that helps the Knicks take the next leap forward in their quest for relevance and respect in the Eastern Conference hierarchy. With the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Philadelphia 76ers reloading, New York can’t afford to fall behind.

Hiring Prigioni won’t fix everything. But it could very well be the smartest move the Knicks make this summer.