Knicks Coach Search Takes Unexpected Turn
The Mavericks have clearly told the Knicks to seek coaching options elsewhere. If the Knicks were hoping to revisit the idea of hiring Jason Kidd, it seems that isn’t going to happen—at least not easily.
“The key message from the Mavericks is a definitive ‘no.’ They’re not interested in any continued discussions,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst mentioned earlier this week. It appears they want to make it clear: don’t even think about calling back.
There’s a lot of chatter in the NBA that Kidd, who led the Mavericks to the finals last season, is looking for a contract extension. A source shared this information with Stephen Bondy from the Post.
If negotiations don’t go Kidd’s way, could he potentially create enough tension to push for a change? It’s possible, though the Knicks might be in a position to negotiate strongly with Dallas.
In earlier reports, it was noted that Knicks owner James Dolan and point guard Jalen Brunson have received some support from fans.
Following their inability to connect with other potential coaching candidates—including Billy Donovan from the Bulls, Quinn Snyder from the Hawks, Ime Udoka from the Rockets, and Chris Finch from the Timberwolves—the Knicks seem to be considering their ‘Plan Z.’
While former Villanova coach Jay Wright is out of contention, Dan Hurley from Connecticut also appears unlikely to be in the running.
Windhorst highlighted the Mavericks’ firm stance, stating they genuinely have no interest in further talks.
After Tom Thibodeau’s dismissal, the Knicks didn’t appear to have a clear strategy for finding a new coach. Instead of rushing the decision, they seem keen on taking their time to evaluate a variety of candidates.
Currently, Mike Brown, who previously coached the Cavaliers in the 2017 NBA Finals and worked with the Grizzlies’ Taylor Jenkins, is seen as a strong contender for the position and may be among the first interviewed.
Other names in the mix include Mike Budenholzer, Michael Malone, and Frank Vogel—all of whom have NBA Championship experience. While Malone has connections to the Knicks, discussions about him remain speculative at this point.
