The Knicks might have their subsequent head coach in thoughts — and it’s not a free agent or rising assistant, however an NBA Finals-tested rival already underneath contract.
The Knicks are reportedly enthusiastic about tabbing Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd because the successor to Tom Thibodeau’s throne at Madison Sq. Backyard, in keeping with longtime NBA insider Marc Stein and ESPN’s Shams Charania. The Knicks fired Thibodeau three days after they accomplished their most profitable season in 25 years and have been eradicated by the Indiana Pacers within the convention finals in six video games.
Kidd’s emergence as New York’s most well-liked goal raises key questions because the Knicks chase their first title in over 50 years.
YOU CAN HIRE AWAY A TEAM’S HEAD COACH?
Similar to every other job: if there’s mutual curiosity between an worker and a potential participant, and the present employer doesn’t have any concern, a staff can poach one other group’s head coach — at a value.
The Bucks despatched the Nets a pair of second-round picks once they employed Kidd away from Brooklyn as head coach in 2014. The Los Angeles Clippers additionally despatched the Boston Celtics an unprotected first-round choose once they employed away Doc Rivers in 2013.
The Knicks can’t supply an unprotected first-round choose, however they do maintain the Wizards’ top-eight protected 2026 first-rounder (prone to grow to be two seconds), plus eight extra second-rounders and future choose swaps to construct a aggressive supply.
The Mavericks are reportedly open to the Knicks and Kidd discussing New York’s head teaching job.
WHY JASON KIDD
The Knicks practically employed Kidd as soon as earlier than.
He was among the many finalists for the pinnacle teaching job in 2020 earlier than in the end withdrawing from consideration to stay on Frank Vogel’s workers with the Los Angeles Lakers — who went on to win a championship within the Orlando Bubble. The Knicks pivoted to Thibodeau, and Kidd finally took over in Dallas.
Now, 4 years later, Kidd has probably emerged as New York’s best choice.
He brings 9 seasons of head teaching expertise — a 362-339 report cut up between the Bucks, Mavericks, and a cup-of-coffee rookie teaching 12 months with the Brooklyn Nets — and simply led Dallas to the NBA Finals. The Mavericks went 52-30 throughout that run, together with a Western Convention Finals berth in 2022 with Jalen Brunson as Kidd’s place to begin guard. Beneath Kidd, Brunson posted a then career-high 16.3 factors and 4.8 assists per recreation — his breakthrough season earlier than signing with the Knicks.
“I think the relationship that me and J-Kidd have is very unique,” Brunson stated after leaving the Mavericks to signal with the Knicks.
Kidd’s improvement monitor report stretches again additional. In Milwaukee, he performed a pivotal position in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s rise from uncooked expertise to nightly triple-double risk and future MVP. Antetokounmpo was so loyal to Kidd, he reportedly tried to dam the Bucks’ choice to fireside him in 2018. If the Knicks nonetheless harbor goals of touchdown Antetokounmpo, Kidd’s presence wouldn’t damage.
Kidd additionally has credibility within the constructing. He performed his ultimate NBA season at Madison Sq. Backyard, beginning 48 video games for the final Knicks staff to win 50 video games earlier than Thibodeau’s arrival. He’s a Corridor of Fame level guard, a 10-time All-Star, and the ground basic of the 2011 championship Mavericks. Kidd additionally completed runner-up to Tim Duncan within the 2002 NBA MVP race and led the New Jersey Nets to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003.
WHAT ABOUT THE COACHING FIT?
Two seasons in the past, Kidd took an imperfect Mavericks staff to the NBA Finals. If the Knicks are betting on Dallas’ head coach, it’s a wager he can do the identical at Madison Sq. Backyard.
The Mavericks performed an 11-man rotation within the 2024 NBA Finals, the place they in the end got here up brief, 4-1, to the Boston Celtics. Kidd additionally helped develop Dereck Energetic III, Jaden Hardy and Dante Exum — who’d been an NBA journeyman — into precious playoff contributors. Plus Kidd is a Corridor of Fame level guard with a historical past of working with the Knicks’ ground basic. As the purpose guard of the Dallas Mavericks championship 2011 staff, he instructions respect when he walks right into a locker room.
WHO ARE THE OTHER CANDIDATES?
There are not less than 23 different names the Knicks might have on their radar in an try to interchange Thibodeau.
The Knicks might additionally take into account present and former head coaches like Ime Udoka, Mike Malone, and Taylor Jenkins, in addition to revered assistants equivalent to Chris Quinn, Jerry Stackhouse, and Johnnie Bryant. Jeff Van Gundy, a former Knicks head coach now with the Clippers, can also be a reputation to look at.
