Following their exit in the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks reportedly made the somewhat unexpected decision to part ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau. Dismissing a coach who reached the conference finals is uncommon, especially for a franchise that hadn`t achieved this feat in over two decades.
However, the Knicks` front office felt the team possessed a higher potential than an ECF appearance, believing Thibodeau had not maximized the roster`s capabilities. His dismissal signals that anything less than a championship will be deemed unsuccessful, placing exceptionally high expectations on the next coach. Two candidates quickly emerged at the top of the Knicks` reported list: Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets and Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks. The Knicks would require permission from their current teams to interview them. While reports indicate Houston is unlikely to grant permission for Udoka, Kidd`s status remains unconfirmed.
Marc Stein, a reporter with strong connections in Dallas, reported on Friday that the Knicks intend to submit a formal request to interview Kidd `in the coming days`.
This potential request represents a significant development in the Knicks` coaching search. Given the Mavericks` recent shift in direction, they might be open to Kidd`s departure. The previous Mavericks leadership reportedly hired Kidd specifically with coaching Luka Dončić in mind, though the article states Dončić is now gone. A new management group is in place, and the Mavericks securing the top pick (noted as Cooper Flagg) in the draft lottery has purportedly expanded the championship window initially linked to acquiring Anthony Davis.
Kidd likely views the Knicks as having a more direct path to a championship than Dallas, particularly with Kyrie Irving reportedly expected to miss much of next season. This situation might make the Mavericks more willing to let him move to the Eastern Conference. If this occurs, it would be the second time Kidd has been involved in a coaching `trade,` the first being in 2014 when the Bucks acquired him from Brooklyn after his rookie coaching season in exchange for second-round draft picks.
Should the Mavericks decline the interview request, the Knicks are expected to focus on experienced former head coaches rather than candidates currently serving as assistants. Although it`s unclear if this strategy entirely rules out prominent assistant coach Johnnie Bryant, indications suggest New York is considering individuals like Taylor Jenkins, Michael Malone, Mike Brown, Frank Vogel, and Mike Budenholzer. These coaches possess extensive experience and were recently fired, with Malone, Vogel, and Budenholzer having previously led teams to championships.
Jasper Hawthorne