Brown is notorious for holding players accountable. His potential employer is betting on personality and diligence more than anything else.

As a 55-year-old and a four-time fired head coach, Brown represents neither the most obvious nor most exciting choice. If the Knicks struggle, heat will fall quickly on the front office. But Brown is also a safe pick with over 750 regular-season games, a 60% winning percentage and two Coach of the Year awards.

Through their free-agency activity so far and the expected hiring of Mike Brown to be their next head coach, the New York Knicks have made one thing unassailably clear: They are all-in on juicing their offense—potential collateral damage on defense be absolutely damned.