Owner(s) Cablevision Record 39–43 (.476) | ||
Head coach Don ChaneyHerb WilliamsLenny Wilkens General manager Scott LaydenIsiah Thomas | ||
The 2003–04 New York Knicks season was the 58th season for the team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). During the offseason, the Knicks signed All-Star center Dikembe Mutombo in free agency. The Knicks started the season by losing seven of their first nine games as fans at the Garden chanted "Fire Layden", in reference to general manager Scott Layden. Knicks fans would get their wish as Layden was fired and replaced by former Detroit Pistons star Isiah Thomas.
In January, the Knicks traded Antonio McDyess and Charlie Ward to the Phoenix Suns for All-Star guard Stephon Marbury and Anfernee Hardaway. Ward was released by the Suns, and later signed as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs. At midseason, Thomas made more moves, trading Keith Van Horn to the Milwaukee Bucks for Tim Thomas.
With a 39–43 record, which placed them third in the Atlantic Division, the Knicks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. In the first round, the Knicks were swept in four games by the New Jersey Nets. New York did not return to the playoffs until the 2010–11 season. Following the season, Mutombo was traded to the Chicago Bulls, who then dealt him to the Houston Rockets.