Knicks Hire Peter Patton as Shooting Coach, Reuniting Him with Jalen Brunson
Image Credit: Coach Patton’s website: https://coachpp.com/jalen-brunson/
By Liam Tate | Oct 7, 2025 | 6:08 PM |
The New York Knicks have added veteran shooting coach Peter Patton to their staff, according to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.
Patton, who most recently served as the Chicago Bulls’ director of player development, joins new head coach Mike Brown’s overhauled coaching staff ahead of the 2025–26 NBA season.
Patton brings nearly a decade of experience as one of the league’s most respected shooting specialists, having previously worked with the Minnesota Timberwolves (2016–18), Dallas Mavericks (2018–23), and Chicago Bulls (2023–25).
His hire is part of a broader restructuring in New York’s coaching department, which has also added associate head coach Chris Jent and defensive coordinator Brendan O’Connor.
The hiring marks a reunion between Patton and Knicks star Jalen Brunson, who previously worked with Patton during his time in Dallas. Under Patton’s guidance, Brunson’s shooting efficiency notably improved, jumping from 46 percent in his first two seasons to above 50 percent in his final two years with the Mavericks.
Brunson’s development during that period helped secure his deal with the New York Knicks in 2022.
“As a professional basketball player in the NBA, I can confidently say that the hard work and training I’ve put in with Peter Patton has been instrumental in my success on the court,” Brunson wrote in a testimonial featured on Patton’s official website. “Peter’s expertise and dedication to helping athletes reach their full potential is unmatched, and I am grateful for the countless hours we have spent together honing my skills and pushing me to be better every day.”
Before joining the Knicks, Patton’s departure from Chicago in April drew mixed reactions.
Reports indicated that several Bulls players, including Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Josh Giddey, and Matas Buzelis, expressed frustration over the decision, citing Patton’s impact on their shooting improvement and overall development.
Patton’s reputation as a shooting coach traces back to his early work under San Antonio Spurs assistant Chip Engelland, long regarded as one of the top shooting minds in basketball.
During his time with Minnesota, Patton helped the Timberwolves improve their three-point percentage across consecutive seasons, with Karl-Anthony Towns emerging as one of the league’s most accurate big-man shooters at over 42 percent from deep in 2018.
A native of Illinois, Patton starred at DePaul University, where he set a single-season record by shooting better than 54 percent from three-point range as a junior in 1994–95.
He played high school ball alongside Michael Finley and has spent much of his professional career shaping shooters in that region.
The addition of Patton continues New York’s trend of emphasizing player development and shooting consistency, particularly under Brown’s leadership.
With Brunson leading the backcourt and a coaching staff built around player skill growth, the Knicks are positioning themselves to sustain their recent success while improving one of their few remaining weaknesses, outside shooting.
While details of Patton’s contract were not disclosed, his arrival highlights the advancements that the New York Knicks are making to continuously improve their offense.