The New York Knicks have faced a setback in their pursuit of acquiring Jason Kidd as their new head coach. The team's initial attempt to engage in discussions with the current head coach of the Dallas Mavericks has been officially denied. According to multiple reports, including one from The Post’s Stefan Bondy, the Mavericks swiftly rebuffed the Knicks' request for permission to speak with Kidd on Wednesday morning.
This development comes as the Knicks are actively searching for a new head coach following the surprising dismissal of Tom Thibodeau last week. The decision to part ways with Thibodeau came just days after the Knicks were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, marking the team’s first appearance in the conference finals in 25 years.
Despite this setback, the Knicks' pursuit of Kidd may not be entirely over. Reports have indicated that there is mutual interest between the Knicks and the Hall of Famer. This potential interest could pave the way for future discussions, especially if Kidd expresses a strong desire to leave Dallas. He is currently under contract with the Mavericks until the end of the 2026-27 season, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
In their search for a new head coach, the Knicks have also reached out to other notable candidates. However, their requests to speak with Ime Udoka, the head coach of the Houston Rockets, and Chris Finch, the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, were both rejected on Tuesday. This has left the Knicks needing to explore additional options as they look to rebuild and strengthen their coaching staff.
As the Knicks navigate this challenging period, fans are eager to see who will ultimately take the reins of the franchise and lead them into a new era of success.
