Shams: Knicks poached Timberwolves coach, former Kings head coach and Grizzlies head coach

Sources told ESPN that the New York Knicks are interviewing Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Mika Norri to serve as head coach of the team. The Knicks have now formal interviews with three candidates – Norry and two former head coaches Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins.

Norry, 51, has been an assistant coach for Minnesota since 2021, coached by Chris Finch. Sources confirmed that the Timberwolves refused to allow the Knicks to interview Finch for the position this month.

Norry also served as assistants for the Detroit Pistons, the Denver Nuggets, the Sacramento Kings and the Toronto Raptors.

Brown was a former coach of the Kings, and he was interviewed by the Knicks in 2020, which left a deep impression on people, and later New York hired Tom Thibodeau.

Jenkins was fired in March and has been coaching the Grizzlies since the 2019-20 season — the season when Ja Morant won Rookie of the Year. Under Jenkins, the Grizzlies made three playoffs and won a playoff series. The Knicks are looking for a new head coach after they unexpectedly fired Thibodeau, although under his leadership, the team advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. Sources said several teams rejected the Knicks this month while searching for a head coach.