8:30 am: The Knicks asked for the Mavericks’ permission to speak to Kidd and, as expected, were turned down by Dallas as well, according to Stein (Twitter link).
For what it’s worth, Steve Popper of Newsday (Twitter link) has heard that some people in the Knicks’ organization believe the “first no” from the Mavs doesn’t necessarily spell the end of New York’s pursuit of Kidd.
7:56 am: The Knicks formally requested permission to speak to Rockets head coach Ime Udoka and Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch, but were denied on both counts, according to reports.
Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link) first reported that the Knicks’ request to Houston had been turned down, while longtime New York radio and podcast host Mike Francesa (Twitter link) was first to say that the Timberwolves declined the Knicks’ request to speak to Finch. Shams Charania of ESPN subsequently confirmed both reports.
Marc Stein wrote last week that the Knicks had interest in Udoka but would almost certainly be rebuffed by the Rockets if they sought permission to talk to him. New York’s interest in Finch was initially reported last week by Begley.
Udoka, who was hired by the Rockets following three straight seasons of 22 or fewer wins, has helped turn things around in Houston, leading the team to a 41-41 record last season and a 52-30 mark – along with the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference – this past year. Finch, meanwhile, has guided the Timberwolves to back-to-back appearances in the Western Conference Finals.
Neither team was likely to be enthusiastic about letting the Knicks poach a successful head coach who remains under contract.
It sounds like that will likely be the case for the Mavericks as well, as multiple reports have suggested that Dallas is expected to spurn the Knicks’ advances if New York seeks permission to speak to Jason Kidd. Charania confirms as much, citing sources who say the Mavs would decline the Knicks’ request if it comes (it hadn’t as of Tuesday night).
Based on what we know, it has been an unusual coaching search so far for the Knicks, who have only really been linked to candidates who already have head coaching jobs. It remains possible the club will request permission to speak to other head coaches currently employed by NBA teams, Charania notes.
Among coaches who aren’t presently employed, Taylor Jenkins is one name that people around the league think the Knicks will consider, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. Jenkins was let go by the Grizzlies prior to the end of the regular season.
The Knicks are seeking a replacement for Tom Thibodeau, who took out a full-page ad in the New York Times on Wednesday thanking the fans, his players, and his coaching staff for his experience in New York, as Steve Popper of Newsday relays (via Twitter).
“To the best city in the world with the best fans in the world: Thank you,” Thibodeau wrote. “When I was hired in 2020, I said this was my dream job. I am grateful that dreams became a reality. Thank you to our players and coaching staff who gave everything they had, and to everyone who makes this franchise special. I am proud of everything we accomplished together, including four playoff appearances and this year’s run to the Eastern Conference finals — our first in 25 years.
“And to the fans, thank you for believing in me and embracing me from day one. Watching you support our team, and seeing the Garden ignite with that incomparable Knicks energy, is something I will never forget.”
What do they think is going to happen, teams are just going to gladly give away their HCs?
Why do you swallow everything they feed you.
Knicks have been linked to at least seven coaches.
Like every FA going to NY ….. only one thing is clear right now. Knicks had no plan. Unfortunately that means Dolan is involved …..
Coaches may have a preference of location, opportunity, etc. Some teams are willing to comply if the coach is interested, especially if they actively have someone who can be a solid replacement and is due for a promotion. And then there’s compensation they can acquire as well.
Dysfunctional search… ruining much of the positive energy the team has created the past couple of seasons chasing unavailable coaches… why?
“some people in the Knicks’ organization believe the first no from the Mavs doesn’t necessarily spell the end of New York’s pursuit of Kidd…”
Um, let it go. He’s under contract. They said no. This is the crazytown bananapants cherry on top of this whole ridiculous saga.
Yup — Shaq is about right — dysfunctional organization has a highly successful season then pours sodium bicarbonate on the fire. Screech!
Dolan really is the Elon Musk of the NBA. A completely irrational unaware billionaire who is surrounded by so many ass kissers he really thinks he’ll get whatever he wants no matter how ridiculous
yep. nepo baby narcissist that was never told no in his life. Uniquely awful human.
So they wanted 3 coaches that took teams to confrence finals over the last few years. So now they will pick one of the coaches fired the won a championship.
The first ‘no’ won’t stop them from tampering.
Who would want Udoka?
He is a good coach on defense. Give him the right assistant coach for the offense he could win a title.
Give him the right woman assistant….
90 percent of the teams in the NBA.
Trading all those picks for Bridges was so dumb. Towns can not play D. The Knicks are not winning the east next year. They had Riley and Jackson and did not win.
A los Knicks les fue bien cuando le reboron a los mavs a Brunson, pero con lo de las seleciones lo pagaron.
It actually wasn’t, considering they sent zero players back and needed Bridges on his underpaid contract to dodge the 2nd apron by mere dollars.
“5 firsts” is such a stupid reference point that people keep parroting, as if five #25 picks has the same value as five lottery picks.
Nobody has said that they are the same as lottery picks. Thats why they say five first round picks. Which is accurate which for some reason you can’t understand.
“Trading all those picks for Bridges was so dumb.”
Not really. Two of them are in this year’s draft: Milwaukee’s (#19) and the Knicks’ pick (#26). Who cares about those? Knicks weren’t going to do anything with them and the Nets don’t appear to want to, either, since they’re shopping them.
One of them is the Knicks 2027 pick. Should also be in the 20+ range. Again: who cares?
The final two are the 2029 and 2031 picks. Those may actually contain some value because they’re so far in the future. But it’s up to the Knicks to stay competitive. If they are, the picks won’t matter. Instead of just overreacting like OMG FIVE FIRSTS, look at the context.
If the 29 and 31 picks end up being good, that is worth it for the Conference Finals + additional playoff series Bridges brings with this configuration. Holding the picks doesn’t win playoff series.
If the Knicks just ran things back (minus Hartenstein) they would have been a first round exit this year (if they made the playoffs at all). Instead they had an opportunity to go to the Finals.
People overrate what the value of picking the next Harry Giles or David Roddy or TyTy Washington is.
The majority of players picked 20 and after are busts. They’re usually out of the league in five years.
Using the context of the last 5 drafts (FRPs 21-30)
2024
STARTER: Yves Missi (21), Isaiah Collier (29)
ROLE: KyShawn George (24), Ryan Dunn (28)
RESERVE: DaRon Holmes (22), AJ Johnson (23), Pacome Dadiet (25), Dillon Jones (26), Terrence Shannon (27), Baylor Scheierman (30)
2023
ROLE: Noah Clowney (21), Ben Sheppard (26), Brice Sensabaugh (28), Julian Strawther (29)
RESERVE: Dariq Whitehead (22), Kris Murray (23), Olivier Maxence-Prosper (24), Marcus Sasser (25), Nick Smith Jr (27), Kobe Brown (30)
2022
STARTER: Christian Braun, (21) Walker Kessler (22)
ROLE: Nikola Jovic (27), Peyton Watson (30)
RESERVE: Blake Wesley (25)
BUST: David Roddy (23), Marjon Beauchamp (24), Wendell Moore Jr (26), Patrick Baldwin Jr (28), TyTy Washington Jr (29)
2021
STARTER: Quentin Grimes (25), Cam Thomas (27), Santi Aldama (30)
ROLE: Isaiah Jackson (22), Day’Ron Sharpe (29)
RESERVE:
BUST: Keon Johnson (21), Usman Garuba (23), Josh Christopher (24), Bones Hyland (26), Jaden Springer (28)
2020
STAR: Tyrese Maxey (21)
STARTER: Immanuel Quickley (25), Payton Pritchard (26), Jaden McDaniels (28), Desmond Bane (30)
ROLE: Zeke Nnaji (22)
BUST: Leandro Bolmaro (23), RJ Hampton (24), Udoka Azubuike (27), Malachi Flynn (29)
Of the 50 players drafted 21-30:
One All-Star: Tyrese Maxey
One All-Defense player: Jaden McDaniels
11 Starter level players (two per year).
11 Role players (i.e. rotation players), also two per year.
15 of the 30 picks from 2020 to 2022 did not survive their rookie contract (i.e. busts).
The odds of a rotation-level NBA player in this range are about 40-50% (though it varies by the overall quality of the draft class).
The odds of a bust / flame-out are about 50%
The odds of finding a star in this range are roughly 2-4%.
If the Nets get five picks in this range from the Knicks, they’ll have a net of 2.5 NBA players.
Keon Johnson has reversed out of the bust dept.
Unfortunately you don’t take into account the quality of the draft. Not only does it vary year to year. But for instance here. 2025 is considered a deep draft. And could go down as one of best. For quality and depth. Number of players sticking.
In the end. It’s always about the team picking. Nets have a great opportunity to bring in 4-5 rotation players. Now with players so young. The percentage of missing goes up. Still it’s about your scouts .
We can go back further – the number of starter-level players found in the 20s is not going to substantially change.
Draft quality is a variable and nobody here is equipped to tell us whether the class of 2030 will be high/low quality.
Would the Knicks be dumb enough to hire thibs back cause no one wants to coach there? Or would he be smart enough to just laugh at them and not take the job back?
Wow. This is completely embarrassing. Why not just find a new and upcoming coach with fresh ideas? Why hire a retread or meddle with other teams? Smfh disgusting.
Because the Knicks are a truly pathetic franchise, maybe the worst in the NBA.
Atkinson.
Contract the Knicks and Nets franchises, they are both a curse to the NYC and the NBA. Give NYC expansion teams in their places.
This genuinely made me laugh
Lol are knicks just going 1 by 1 to every tm hoping someone will give up their current coach for what, a 2030 2nd rd pick? “We’re new york, tms will fall to their knees for us”
They’re gonna regret letting thibs go
Knicks don’t have the assets to go after other teams coaches ….. remember giving up all their picks for Bridges !!!! an Towns !!!!
You have to ask yourself. Why would Knicks fire the guy who rebuilt this team. Who took a one year team to East Finals. Something they haven’t done in 25 yrs. Clearly there is a riff here. To me it smells like Dolan. Thibs had a real opportunity here to beat Pacers. Remember the Knicks were favored for a reason. If Knicks beat Pacers Thibs is probably still here …..
The failings Knicks showed in Pacer series are real. Thibs has to take the blame for that. So if you judge him solely on that. You can understand why they would want another direction. Unfortunately when Dolan is involved it gets messy. As a Knick fan. I’m hoping Rose has the cojones to step up. And keep this team moving in the right direction. Not let Dolan Mess it up. Like he has for last 25 yrs. Before Thibs got here.
Veteran NBA coach P. J. Carlesimo believes the Knicks have shown their incompetence with how they’ve handled their coaching situation.
“That’s the Knicks. They don’t know what they’re doing,” he told The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo. “They are their own worst enemy. They’ve been their own worst enemy…I thought [Thibs] did a great job. Where are they going? I don’t know who made the decision…I don’t believe the players made the decision.”
——————————
This is what’s been under Dolan.
For last 5 yrs Knicks under Thibs and Rose. Have changed the culture. Now this move seems like Dolan is back to his meddling ways. Rose better stand up to him. If he wants to continue and build on Thibs success ..
Hire Michael Malone ——- sooner the better
@ KnickAl
They could do worse than Malone for sure. But he’s so similar to Thibs, I think it’s unlikely Rose will hire him.
Frankly for me. I’m good with that. Malone helped Jokic and ran a better offense than Thibs imo. Hopefully he can Help Towns. just hope Rose is doing the work. Cause firing Thibs is all Dolan that’s a bad sign for Knick fans. O don’t believe any rumors. Knicks haven’t reached out to anyone. Malone is also from NY. Trust me knowing this city helps immensely. I just don’t want Dolan involved at all.
Malone, Jenkins, Borrego or bring back Jeff.
Pick one and move on.
Borrego is probably the one, they need an offensive coach.
Malone is just Thibs redeux, unless you think the offensive solution is to take the ball out of Brunson’s hands and run things through KAT.
Jenkins can’t handle NY pressure / media.
JVG is also a Thibs clone, and left the team on bad terms.
Come on wolves, let them have finch so they can suck.
yup, i been saying it on twitter. all of the culture theyve built over the last few seasons is right out the window. firing a successful coach and looking to trade for a superstar shows me its the same ole knicks and i think its highly possible they have reached their ceiling
To all Knicks fans on here. Who should they hire to finally get that championship??
Man, people looooove to overreact about the Knicks. They’re conducting a coaching search. They’re doing due diligence. If this was the Utah Jazz conducting a coaching search, you wouldn’t even be hearing about half of this. The same clowns who said the Knicks couldn’t make it to the ECF are now Knicks experts, deriding every move and saying the Knicks won’t win anything. Same old nonsense.
What incentive do teams have by allowing another team to interview their head coach???
The head coach is a major asset. Unless there is serious compensation I wouldn’t allow my competition to be 100 yards near him.