The New York Knicks have recently expanded their list of coaches they are prohibited from interviewing this offseason. As of Wednesday, several high-profile names have been added to the list of candidates the Knicks have attempted to engage in discussions for their vacant head coaching position. This article highlights the coaches the Knicks have pursued and the responses they received.
Among the coaches the Knicks have expressed interest in are:
Billy Donovan - Chicago Bulls Jason Kidd - Dallas Mavericks Ime Udoka - Houston Rockets Chris Finch - Minnesota Timberwolves Quin Snyder - Atlanta HawksAccording to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Knicks formally requested to speak with Quin Snyder, the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks, but this request was firmly denied. In response to the news, Hawks star guard Trae Young provided a brief comment reflecting the team's position on the matter.
Reports from K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network and NBA Insider Marc Stein indicate that the Chicago Bulls also rejected the Knicks' request for an interview with Billy Donovan. Despite the Knicks' interest in acquiring a seasoned coach to replace Tom Thibodeau, their efforts have not yielded positive results thus far. Along with the denial from the Hawks regarding Snyder, the Knicks were also blocked from interviewing Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets and Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves, as reported by SNY's Ian Begley.
While being denied permission to interview these coaches may seem discouraging, it does not completely eliminate their candidacy for the Knicks' head coaching position. There is potential for these coaches to explore avenues to exit their current roles, although such a move carries inherent risks, especially if a job with the Knicks is not guaranteed. Reports suggest that Jason Kidd is a favored option within the Knicks organization, raising the question of whether he would consider leaving the Dallas Mavericks.
Even if Kidd shows interest in the Knicks’ position, he may leverage that interest to negotiate a lucrative contract extension with the Mavericks. The Athletic's Christian Clark and Sam Amick noted that the prevailing belief is that Kidd aims to utilize the Knicks' interest to secure a more favorable deal in Dallas. Currently, Kidd has two years remaining on his contract with the Mavericks, adding complexity to the situation.
With the likelihood of hiring coaches like Kidd, Udoka, or Finch appearing increasingly slim, the Knicks may need to pivot their search towards either unemployed coaches or assistant coaches. One viable option could be Michael Malone, the former head coach of the Denver Nuggets. Malone, who led the Nuggets to a championship two years ago, was dismissed following the end of the regular season. Interestingly, he began his NBA career as an assistant coach for the Knicks from 2001 to 2005, which could make him a familiar and attractive candidate for the team's current needs.
As the Knicks continue their search for a new head coach, the landscape remains dynamic, with various possibilities and challenges ahead. The team's next steps will be crucial in determining their future direction and success in the upcoming NBA season.
