The New York Knicks have been connected to several big names in their head coach search, including the Dallas Mavericks’ Jason Kidd. However, according to NBA insider Marc Stein, landing Kidd or any other coach under contract won’t come cheap.
After making their first Eastern Conference finals appearance since 2000, the Knicks unexpectedly moved on from coach Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday, ending his five-year tenure. Reports suggested that doubts lingered about Thibodeau’s ability to maximize the franchise’s Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns-led roster and guide it to the NBA Finals.
Kidd, who boasts two NBA championships as a player and assistant coach and oversaw Dallas’ 2024 finals run, has emerged as a potential suitor. However, he signed a multi-year contract extension last year and still has two years remaining on his deal, complicating his candidacy.
Capitalizing on “Mutual Intrigue” in Hiring Jason Kidd Will Not Be Easy for the Knicks
On Monday, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Kidd and New York share “mutual intrigue” in him becoming the organization’s next coach.
Even so, in Stein’s Monday report, he noted that such a coaching hire would probably come at the expense of future draft capital.
“It is believed that the Knicks would have to surrender some form of future draft compensation to extricate Kidd or any coach under contract from their existing deal,” Stein wrote.
There’s mutual interest between Jason Kidd and the Knicks, per @WindhorstESPN
(h/t @WindhorstESPN )
pic.twitter.com/o8M1XmVtbj— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 9, 2025
Beyond Kidd’s coaching chops, the Knicks reportedly value his playing experience, including in the Big Apple.
“Kidd is a successful player-turned-coach, which is said to appeal to the Knicks, who also has considerable familiarity in dealing with the glaring Gotham spotlight as well as the New York media from his time as both a Knick and as a Nets player and coach,” Stein wrote.
“That’s a hugely important aspect of the job given that Thibodeau was so often thrust into the role of team spokesman for a franchise whose executives are extremely media-avoidant.”
Kidd is also familiar with Brunson, whom he coached for one season in Dallas (2021-22). Nevertheless, Stein noted that “there is a belief among some within the Mavericks’ organization that the Knicks will ultimately decide against asking for permission to interview Kidd.
Kidd Could Be Traded for Second Time in Coaching Career
A coaching trade involving Kidd would mark his second, as the Hall of Famer was dealt from the Brooklyn Nets to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2014. The acquisition cost Milwaukee second-round draft picks in 2015 and 2019.
However, if Kidd becomes available for trade this offseason, Dallas, which is also seeking to win now, may command more draft capital to make the deal worthwhile.
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Through nine seasons as a head coach, Kidd has a 362-339 coaching record, including a 179-149 record over four campaigns with the Mavericks.