Pacers Could Lose Coach to Major East Rival

Mar 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A view of the Indiana Pacers logo on the shorts of guard George Hill (3) in the game against the Houston Rockets at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat the Houston Rockets by the score of 104-101. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

A key Indiana Pacers coach could be on the move this offseason.

Per Ian Bagley of SNY.tv, current Rick Carlisle assistant coach Mike Weinar has been talking with the loathed New York Knicks about switching sides this summer and serving under new head coach Mike Brown in Madison Square Garden.

Knicks have been in contact with Indiana assistant Mike Weinar to discuss a spot on Mike Brown’s coaching staff, per league sources familiar with the matter. Weinar has worked on Rick Carlisle’s staffs in Dallas and Indiana and is currently a candidate for an opening.

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) August 3, 2025

For Weinar to depart what had been a winning situation in Indiana (they did come within a game of claiming their first-ever NBA championship in June, after all — although the team's immediate future has a far lower floor), he'd probably need a raise.

More news: Former Pacers Guard Signs with West Powerhouse

Begley adds that, though Weinar is currently under contract with Indiana and has been with Carlisle since the Dallas Mavericks days, he would be permitted to depart were he earning a promotion (i.e. in terms of his tier as an assistant) and a pay upgrade.

I assume they wohld only let him leave for a promotion and raise

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) August 4, 2025

A Pacers assistant coach looking elsewhere for an improved career opportunity isn't exactly a shock.

What is a surprise, however, is that it's the New York Knicks.

Indiana and New York have had such an infamous rivalry over the decades that there was even a "30 For 30" ESPN documentary about it in 2010, the exquisite "Winning Time."

The Knicks have proven themselves to be a thorn in the Pacers' sides across two consecutive playoff encounters.

New York appeared to have a major leg up on the No. 6-seeded Indiana in a second-round 2024 playoff clash, but overuse-related injuries took out most of the Knicks' top players by the end of a seven-game slog, which the springier Pacers survived.

The Pacers and Knicks seemed to be fairly evenly matched this past spring, but Indiana's comeback magic and egalitarian play in Game 1 appeared to, well, set the pace for the series. New York's offense under Tom Thibodeau was highly contingent on All-NBA point guard Jalen Brunson scoring or passing late into the shot clock, while Indiana has a far more versatile optionality. The Pacers eventually took a 3-1 series lead before closing out the series in six contests.

Weinar's defection to New York is all theoretical, for now. But it will certainly hurt if it does come to pass.

More news: 

Former Pacers Big Reacts to Surprisingly Getting Cut After NBA Finals Run

Pacers Urged to Make Shocking Lineup Decision This Year

For more news and notes on the Indiana Pacers, visit Indiana Pacers on SI.