The New York Knicks’ coaching search continues to dominate headlines surrounding the franchise. The front office’s plans have hit roadblocks. Several targeted coaches were ruled out after their teams denied the Knicks permission to conduct interviews.
One of those targets was Jason Kidd. The Dallas Mavericks head coach appeared to be one of the Knicks’ top candidates. According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the pathway to hiring Kidd isn’t closed, despite the Mavericks rejecting New York’s request to speak with him.
“The door is not completely closed on the Knicks and Jason Kidd, per people familiar with the dynamic in Dallas,” Begley reported on Monday, June 16. “Other outlets reported as recently as last week that Kidd was still a possibility, and that remains the case as of Monday.”
Kidd took the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024. He has proven himself as an NBA-level head coach. Kidd has had three stops in the NBA with the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and Dallas Mavericks. Kidd has amassed a 362-339 regular-season record as a head coach. He has a 31-33 record in the playoffs.
The former All-Star guard previously played for the Knicks. He spent one season with the franchise in 2012-13, playing in 76 games, 48 of them coming as a starter.
Knicks Have Two Interviews Lined Up
The Knicks, while favoring Jason Kidd among their top choices, are actively exploring a broad range of options. ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the team plans to interview Taylor Jenkins and Mike Brown in the coming days.
“The New York Knicks are planning to meet with ex-Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins and former Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown next week for their head coaching job, sources tell ESPN,” Charania reported via X. “First formal interviews for the Knicks vacancy, and more could come.”
Jenkins and Brown are both free agents. They would provide far less friction for the Knicks, should they choose to hire one of the veteran coaches. Both Brown and Jenkins increased their respective reputations with strong tenures at their former teams.
Knicks Were Also Rejected by Jay Wright
Jay Wright, the former Villanova head coach, emerged as a strong candidate for the open Knicks job. His ties to several players on the current roster made him a natural choice. Nevertheless, Wright recently removed himself from contention for the role.
“BREAKING: Jay Wright has confirmed to me that he has informed the Knicks that he is not interested in any coaching position and plans to remain retired,” Steph Davis of Hoops HQ reported via X.
The opening weeks of New York’s coaching search have been farcical. However, with Brown and Jenkins lined up, and the potential to kick the tires on Kidd’s availability for a second time, things appear to be shaping up. Ideally, New York will have a head coach in place before the offseason hits full swing.
Therefore, by adding a new head coach in the coming weeks, the Knicks can begin planning for the future. After all, the aim is to contend for a championship next season.
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