An assistant coach of the Knicks’ past could be their answer to the future after the Suns made their coaching decision.
Johnnie Bryant, a former Knicks associate head coach who was considered a finalist for the Phoenix vacancy, did not get the top Suns job on Wednesday as the team is instead hiring his Cleveland colleague, assistant Jordan Ott, according to ESPN.
With this move, the Knicks could lock in on Bryant in their coaching search after Tuesday’s stunning firing of Tom Thibodeau.
He was relieved of his duties days after the Knicks were eliminated from their first Eastern Conference finals in 25 years.
Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant could be a target in the Knicks’ coaching search. AP
The Suns are hiring Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as their next head coach. NBAE via Getty Images
Thibodeau led the team for five seasons.
Bryant, 39, spent four seasons with Thibodeau, serving as the Knicks’ associate head coach from 2020-24.
The Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau after five seasons in June 2025. Charles Wenzelberg/New York PostHe joined the Cavaliers before the 2024-25 season in the same position.
The Cavaliers grabbed the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 64-18.
Follow The Post’s coverage of the Knicks’ stunning firing of head coach Tom Thibodeau
- Ex-Knick backs star’s dad to fill the team’s head coaching vacancy: ‘I think it’s time’
- The many Jalen Brunson questions at the center of Knicks’ coaching searchhttps://nypost.com/2025/06/05/sports/the-many-jalen-brunson-questions-at-the-center-of-knicks-coaching-search/
- https://nypost.com/2025/06/03/sports/knicks-fire-tom-thibodeau-after-playoff-ouster-in-stunning-shakeup/The Knicks may have been quick to fire Tom Thibodeau — but you don’t want to be too patient with a coach either
- Vaccaro: Knicks’ ticking clock won’t stop for Leon Rose’s massive decision
The NBA Finals-bound Pacers eliminated Cleveland in five games in the second round of the playoffs.
Ott, a first-time head coach, will succeed Mike Budenholzer in Phoenix.
He was fired by the Suns in April after a disappointing 36-46 campaign.
