On June 13th, 2025, at 7:02 PM CST, reports surfaced regarding the New York Knicks’ strong interest in reuniting with former player Jason Kidd, this time in the role of head coach. Kidd, who had a brief playing stint with the Knicks, is currently under contract with the Dallas Mavericks. According to Eric Pincus from Bleacher Report, the most feasible way for the Knicks to acquire Kidd would be through a trade. But how might such a trade be structured?
Pincus outlines a potential trade that could see the Knicks offer the 2026 Wizards' protected first-round pick along with top-four protected swap rights to their own 2026 first-rounder. This proposal draws parallels to past trades, such as when the Los Angeles Clippers sent a 2015 first-round pick to the Boston Celtics to secure Doc Rivers as head coach, and when the Milwaukee Bucks traded two second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets to bring Kidd back into the fold. The Knicks must weigh whether it is wise to deplete their already limited tradable assets for a coach who is not currently available.
As the Knicks look ahead to the 2026 offseason, their focus will shift to enhancing their bench depth after addressing their coaching vacancy. Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron indicates that the Knicks will aim to operate above the first tax apron but below the second, maximizing their limited flexibility. Gozlan suggests targeting young wings who may be facing roster challenges, mentioning prospects like Cam Whitmore from the Houston Rockets and Jett Howard from the Orlando Magic.
In the coming week, the Knicks are set to conduct formal interviews with two of their leading head coaching candidates: Taylor Jenkins and Mike Brown. James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports that the Knicks may also revisit their interest in Kidd and Bulls’ head coach Billy Donovan, even though their previous interview requests were declined. The organization is keen on exploring a broad range of options, which includes reaching out to various assistant coaches.
In a recent episode of The Roommates Show podcast, Knicks players Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart expressed their gratitude towards former head coach Tom Thibodeau. Brunson, who has had a long-standing relationship with Thibodeau, shared his appreciation for the pivotal role Thibodeau played in his career. “I’m just so grateful and thankful for [Thibs]. Not enough things can be said about what he’s meant to myself, my career,” Brunson stated. Hart echoed these sentiments, saying, “He helped make me into the player that I am… I’m always gonna be forever grateful for him.”
Conversely, former Knicks player Austin Rivers shared a less favorable view of his experience under Thibodeau. On his podcast, Off Guard With Austin Rivers, he remarked, “I’m not really a Thibs guy. I played for him; it wasn’t the best experience personally.” Rivers recounted his initial interaction with Thibodeau, who expressed a desire for another player, leaving Rivers feeling undervalued. His frustrations extended beyond coaching, as he criticized the organization’s handling of trade dealings, stating, “They don’t do business the right way sometimes.”
As the Knicks navigate this pivotal offseason, the balance between securing a top coach and building a competitive roster remains a critical focus for the franchise. The developments surrounding Jason Kidd's potential hiring will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike.
