The New York Knicks are in need of a head coach with Tom Thibodeau gone.
Many personalities around the NBA — including former players — have ridiculed the Knicks for letting Thibodeau walk after he guided to the playoffs in four of five seasons. He coached the franchise to the Eastern Conference finals this season, and back-to-back 50-win campaigns. Thibodeau made New York relevant for the first time in 25 years, but where does the organization go now? The Knicks have requested interviews with Houston’s Ime Udoka (2014 NBA Champion in San Antonio) and Minnesota’s Chris Finch, but got denied for both. Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks was the third option.
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ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the news on Dallas denying the Knicks a chance at Kidd.
The New York Knicks requested permission Wednesday morning to speak to Mavericks coach Jason Kidd – and Dallas gave a firm rejection, sources tell ESPN. Knicks have been denied now on Kidd, Minnesota’s Chris Finch and Houston’s Ime Udoka.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 11, 2025
The 52-year-old won an NBA title as a player with the Mavericks in 2011, but now he wants to get one as a coach. New York requested permission to speak to Kidd about its head coaching opportunity, yet Dallas denied the request.
The Mavs have the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft, and it believes Kidd will develop Cooper Flagg into a superstar.
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Ball Exclusives. You can follow him on X via @CoachingMSmith.
