The New York Knicks` coaching search is still in its early stages, yet significant attention is already focused on a coach who is not currently available. Multiple reports suggest the Knicks are interested in hiring the current Mavericks head coach, Jason Kidd. ESPN`s Brian Windhorst specifically stated on Tuesday morning that “The Knicks absolutely would like to hire Jason Kidd to be their next head coach.”
Any potential move hinges on the Dallas Mavericks` willingness to grant the Knicks permission to interview Kidd. So far, the Mavericks have not provided any clear indication of their stance. While Marc Stein has reported reasons why Dallas might decline a formal request, and even speculated the Knicks might not ask at all, this information is not entirely convincing as definitive proof.
Contrast this situation with the Houston Rockets` approach. When reports emerged linking the Knicks to Ime Udoka, The Athletic`s Kelly Iko quickly reported that the Rockets issued a statement saying they had “no interest in entertaining that” and were “committed to the longterm project.” The Rockets swiftly shut down the speculation before it could gain significant traction. Why have the Mavericks not taken a similar step?
For a team whose front office and players have consistently expressed overwhelmingly positive public support for Jason Kidd, one might expect them to immediately dismiss any idea of their coach being poached by another team, especially one that just reached the Eastern Conference Finals. This is particularly notable given the Mavericks` complicated history with the Knicks, primarily due to the circumstances surrounding Jalen Brunson`s departure from Dallas to join New York as a free agent in 2022.
However, this is the Mavericks, a franchise that has made a series of questionable decisions since the start of 2025. The most prominent example remains the baffling trade of franchise superstar Luka Dončić, a move justified by General Manager Nico Harrison on multiple occasions with the phrase, “defense wins championships.”
Despite that controversial trade, Dallas`s prospects have improved significantly after they unexpectedly secured the first overall pick in the upcoming draft, granting them the rights to select Cooper Flagg later this month. With Flagg viewed as a cornerstone for the future, the Mavericks` outlook appears much brighter than it did in February after the Dončić trade, even if next season might be challenging with Kyrie Irving anticipated to miss a significant period recovering from an ACL tear.
Kidd himself has expressed excitement about the possibilities going forward with “that kid from Duke” joining the roster next season. He also stated that his relationship with Nico Harrison is “at a high” during an appearance on a Mavericks podcast.
If the relationship between Kidd and the Mavericks is genuinely this positive, why are they allowing this uncertainty to linger? Why not simply issue a statement declining interest from other teams regarding interview requests? The Mavericks had no hesitation in doing so last May when the Lakers reportedly inquired about Kidd after firing Darvin Ham. At that time, Dallas even rewarded Kidd with a two-year contract extension while the team was in the midst of what would become an NBA Finals run. If the Mavericks still believe Kidd is the right coach for the team, how is this situation different? The reason remains unclear. Unless this is intentionally aimed at provoking the Knicks, the longer the Mavericks remain silent, the worse it reflects on the franchise, whose reputation has been struggling since the Dončić trade.
Should this speculation somehow lead to the Mavericks trading Kidd to the Knicks – which might be necessary for New York to acquire him – Dallas would need to ensure any replacement coach represents a significant upgrade. There is certainly a pool of experienced candidates available, including Michael Malone, Mike Budenholzer, and Taylor Jenkins. Alternatively, the Mavericks might view this as an opportunity to initiate a full reset for the beginning of the Flagg era by hiring a first-time head coach. Current Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney fits this profile and was recently a finalist for the Phoenix Suns head coaching position. The team could consider other assistants as well; the choice depends on the type of coach they are seeking.
It is possible that these rumors will ultimately amount to nothing, and the Mavericks will eventually put the speculation to rest by confirming Kidd as their coach for the foreseeable future. However, the current reports combined with Dallas`s silence lead many to believe there is at least a small possibility that Kidd may not be the Mavericks` coach next season.
Jasper Hawthorne