The Knicks believe that Brown is the player who can help them take the next step and truly contend for a championship next season. They'll also be in a prime position to take advantage of a weaker Eastern Conference, with the Boston Celtics missing Jayson Tatum and the Pacers missing Tyrese Haliburton.

During his first run as a head coach, Brown took the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in 2006-07, only to get swept by Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs. Two seasons later, Brown guided the Cavs to a franchise-record 66 wins and a spot in the Eastern Conference finals, earning him his first Coach of the Year Award.

The New York Knicks liked Mike Brown's experience with championship teams, after he worked for four of them. That sounds good to a franchise that's been stuck on two titles for more than 50 years but believes its time to win another is now.