Dawn Staley is rising as the likely NBA’s first female head coach, backed by three NCAA titles and Olympic gold, plus a locker-room presence that commands respect.

The Knicks interviewed her during their search, but ultimately tabbed Mike Brown. Staley said she would have considered it if offered, underscoring both readiness and the gender-barrier challenge. Her candid stance signals a changing coaching landscape in the league.

For fantasy, a Staley hire would tilt defensive identity and development, potentially reshuffling minutes and elevating wings and guards who thrive in a disciplined, high-IQ system.

Donte DiVincenzo went public with a loud endorsement for Tom Thibodeau, calling him the best while addressing a team poll that aimed to crown the NBA’s worst coach. The message echoes a season that proved pivotal for DiVincenzo: his best of his career in New York, where he logged heavy minutes, poured in 40 percent from deep, and shined in the playoffs, including a dramatic game-winner against Philadelphia in the first round.

That praise surfaces as Thibodeau was dismissed by the Knicks and replaced by Mike Brown, while DiVincenzo shifted to Minnesota in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade. Minnesota’s roster now leans on DiVincenzo’s shooting and playmaking as they chase a deeper playoff run alongside Karl-Anthony Towns and others. The piece notes the Knicks’ six-game exit to Indiana in the Eastern Conference Finals, framing the Thibodeau era in a coaching‑comparison lens that could color how fantasy managers view his former stars moving forward.

For fantasy enthusiasts, DiVincenzo’s Knicks season provides a blueprint: strong three-point shooting, steady minutes, and playoff scoring punch can translate to elevated usage and fantasy upside in a new setting. Minnesota’s offense could harness his off‑ball sh ar e, ball handling, and shot creation as the Wolves chart a path toward a deeper postseason push, while the Thibodeau‑era narrative adds a coaching‑fit angle to early‑season projections.

Knicks fans head into the new season with elevated expectations, powered by Mark Jones’s optimism and a plan to leverage a deeper, more versatile roster. Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele bolster the second unit, giving New York a credible scoring punch and multi-positional depth off the bench. Mike Brown’s anticipated tweaks could push the rotation further than in previous seasons, signaling a shift away from the Tom Thibodeau-era grind. Brunson remains the engine alongside Towns, with an eye toward sustained excellence as the deepest squad in the East.

Last season saw New York push to the Eastern Conference Finals and win 51 games, underscoring the franchise’s trajectory. The front office is betting that incremental bench contributions will translate to quieter nights for stars and more reliable production across four quarters. If Brown can extract efficient minutes from Clarkson and Yabusele while Towns and Brunson anchor the offense, the Knicks could solidify their status as East contenders and push deeper into playoff runs.

The New York Knicks are making waves this offseason with strategic moves aimed at strengthening their bench. The surprising firing of head coach Tom Thibodeau, despite leading the team to the Eastern Conference Finals, set the stage for a fresh start. Enter Mike Brown, a two-time Coach of the Year, who has taken the helm. In free agency, the Knicks secured Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele to bolster their second unit, addressing a primary weakness from last season.

Mikal Bridges has also inked a significant four-year extension, but the Knicks had initially held off, gauging the potential departure of Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee. With recent reports suggesting Giannis may stay, the Knicks are exploring a bold three-team trade proposal that could finally bring the superstar to New York. This potential trade, involving Karl-Anthony Towns and draft picks, would reshape New York’s roster, positioning them as Eastern Conference favorites with a core led by Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and Bridges. However, speculation around Giannis's future remains rife, complicating the Knicks’ plans.