The NBA 2024-25 Finals are heating up, but while the battle for the championship rages on, an equally dramatic coaching saga is unfolding behind the scenes. With the offseason just days away, the New York Knicks are already in scramble mode after firing head coach Tom Thibodeau on June 3 following their Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Indiana Pacers (2-4).
But as they search for a worthy successor to lead their franchise, the Knicks have hit a massive roadblock — one that’s making major headlines.
New York Knicks Weren’t Allowed to Speak With Jason Kidd
In a latest report by NBA insider Shams Charania it was revealed that the Knicks reached out to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday to request permission to speak with head coach Jason Kidd.
However, the Mavericks swiftly rejected New York’s request, blocking any potential talks.
“The New York Knicks requested permission Wednesday morning to speak to Mavericks coach Jason Kidd – and Dallas gave a firm rejection, sources tell ESPN,” wrote Charania on X.
The New York Knicks requested permission Wednesday morning to speak to Mavericks coach Jason Kidd – and Dallas gave a firm rejection, sources tell ESPN. Knicks have been denied now on Kidd, Minnesota’s Chris Finch and Houston’s Ime Udoka.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 11, 2025
But that’s not where the Knicks’ troubles end. Charania further reported that New York’s attempts to contact two other prominent coaches were also shut down.
“Knicks have been denied now on Kidd, Minnesota’s Chris Finch, and Houston’s Ime Udoka,” added Charania.
Moreover, the news that the Knicks are pursuing active, sitting head coaches isn’t exactly shocking. SNY NBA insider Ian Begley had previously reported that New York was indeed targeting currently employed head coaches.
“Ime Udoka, Chris Finch, and Jason Kidd are among the coaches currently under contract who the Knicks have degrees of interest in,” read a part of the SNY article.
Kidd, in particular, represents a highly coveted candidate for obvious reasons. After coach Rick Carlisle stepped down Kidd took over the reins in Dallas. In the last few years Kidd has played a pivotal role in the team’s development.
Most notably during the 2023-24 season, he guided the Mavericks to an impressive (50-32) regular-season record. He led them all the way to the NBA Finals, where they faced the Boston Celtics.
The Mavericks’ refusal to even allow the Knicks to open discussions with Kidd can easily be seen as a tactical move.
If the Knicks managed to pry Kidd away, it would leave Dallas vulnerable and potentially spark backlash from their fan base, much like the public outrage they faced earlier this season when Luka Dončić was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on February 2.
Now, with three of their top targets off the table, the question arises: who can the Knicks turn to next?
An interesting candidate might be Michael Malone the recently fired head coach of the Denver Nuggets. He is also the most successful coach in the franchise history having won 471 games in his time with the team. His skills could make him an ideal fit for a Knicks team.
As the coaching carousel continues to spin, one thing is clear: The Knicks’ hunt for their next head coach is far from over.
