The Knicks are looking at coaching candidates who won’t require permission to interview with their current teams.
After being turned down for talks with Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd and other potential choices, the Knicks are planning to interview former Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins and former Kings coach Mike Brown.
These discussions are expected to occur sometime next week, according to a report.
Team president Leon Rose’s search for a new coach has mostly stalled since the dismissal of Tom Thibodeau on June 3, just three days after the Knicks were eliminated by the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Alongside Kidd, the Knicks also faced refusals to speak with Ime Udoka in Houston, Chris Finch in Minnesota, Quinn Snyder in Atlanta, and Billy Donovan in Chicago, according to various sources.
There are some who think the Knicks might eventually revisit Kidd, who is under contract for two more years, yet reports indicate that the Mavericks have “no interest in further negotiations.”
Last week, sources suggested there was a “mutual conspiracy” between the Knicks and the Hall of Fame point guard regarding a potential move.
Former Denver coach Mike Malone, who led the Nuggets to an NBA championship in 2023, is also available following his recent firing.
Interestingly, former Villanova director Jay Wright has reportedly declined interest in the position, even with former Wildcat stars like Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges on the roster.
Jenkins, 40, finished with a 250-214 record over six seasons with Memphis, but the Grizzlies only managed to win one playoff series during that time. He was let go with nine games left in the season, and the Grizzlies were swept in the first round by the Thunder after advancing from the play-in tournament.
Meanwhile, Brown, 55, was dismissed by Sacramento in December despite leading the Kings to a commendable 45-win season two years prior. He has a career record of 454-304 across 11 seasons with the Cavaliers, Lakers, and Kings, including a trip to the NBA Finals with Cleveland in 2006-07.
