While numerous rival NBA executives believed that the Knicks had a replacement lined up before firing Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday, that’s not the case, Marc Stein reports in his latest Substack article.
The Knicks have fostered the notion that this decision was made by team president Leon Rose but many of the same executives are skeptical of that story, Stein says, considering Rose’s close ties to Thibodeau and the fact that Rose insisted on hiring him.
Meanwhile, numerous league observers acquainted with the inner workings of the Knicks organization believe owner James Dolan has been a “non-fan” of Thibodeau for a long time. Dolan reportedly sat in on post-season meetings with key players.
Two head coaches who are not currently available but said to interest the Knicks are the Mavericks‘ Jason Kidd and Rockets‘ Ime Udoka. However, Stein hears that Houston would deny any attempts by the Knicks to interview Udoka and the Mavs would likely do the same regarding Kidd, though he could not immediately confirm that.
Kidd, who played for the Knicks and interviewed for their head coaching job in 2020, has two seasons left on a contract extension he received during last season’s playoffs. He has also has close ties to Giannis Antetokounmpo, whom the Knicks are expected to pursue in trade talks if Milwaukee makes him available.
Among available coaches, former Villanova coach Jay Wright and Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant — a finalist for Phoenix’s head coaching job — are presumed to be likely candidates. Wright has repeatedly said in the past he’s not interested in coaching in the NBA, though several of his former players are key players for the Knicks.
Here’s more on the Knicks coaching situation:
- Numerous sources told Adam Zagoria (Twitter link) that it’s doubtful Wright would come out of retirement to coach the Knicks. Seth Davis, who has worked closely with Wright at CBS in recent years, is also extremely skeptical about the idea that Wright would want the job (Twitter link).
- Their search will include college coaches and won’t be limited to current assistants or former NBA head coaches, Kris Pursiainen of Clutch Points tweets.
- The Knicks better find their “Joe Torre,” who won multiple championship with the Yankees, Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post opines, arguing that the decision to dump Thibodeau makes no sense otherwise.
- Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reiterates that he’s hearing former Nuggets coach Michael Malone is not a candidate.
I thought kidd and gino didnt like each other because kidd was mean to him in the bucks locker room?
Spreading Instagram meme gossip again? It is Giannis, not gino. Giannis has said differently in interviews.
Wright might change his mind.
Why would Wright want to give up the gig he has now? I’m sure he makes more than enough. Doesn’t need the drama of NY media.
“Why would Wright want to give up the gig he has now?I’m sure he makes more than enough.”
One consistent thing about James Dolan through the decades of Knicks futility is that he will spend like a drunken sailor. Dolan gave Larry Brown $50 million over five years and that was 20 years ago. If Dolan wants Wright, he’ll get Wright.
Not now. Rose is running the show. Dolan is trying his best to stay away. Rose won’t go after a teams coach unless they buy him. Knicks have no assets to give up for one. Malone is the one …
Jokic became The Joker under his watch. That’s what Rose is looking at. Gotta help KAT .
Wish that were true but apparently Dolan was in the exit interview meetings and got feedback from players.
I agree that Wright might want to leave college basketball. He hates the new rules as much as anybody.
“Wright might want to leave college basketball. He hates the new rules as much as anybody”
Wright retired from coaching college basketball in 2022.
Yes, Jay Wright is currently not coaching, but ever since he became a broadcaster, there have been reports linking him to high-paying college coaching jobs, most recently at Indiana.
Pay as a college analyst is a small fraction of what he’d make at a top college program, which is why many expect he’ll jump back in.
Nobody but Wright and CBS knows what he is making as an Analyst. College basketball is a money maker for CBS. I doubt it is chump change.
He’s also in the Basketball HoF, not much left to prove.
Wright is leaving > $10M/yr on the table every year he doesn’t coach.
He could make more money in 2 years than he did in his 20 year coaching career.
That’s why the speculation of.him returninv to college coaching will continue.
He is in his mid-60s. I’m sure he has made quite a bit of money in his coaching career. I’m sure CBS is paying him a nice tidy sum. He also gets speaking fees. Why does he need the headache.
Wright was 62 years yesterday. He makes less than $500k now at a part-time commentator.
He made ~$20M over his entire coaching career. He’s recently been offered multi-year deals at >$10M/yr
Generational wealth may not interest you personally, but I wouldn’t presume the same of others.
Hmm…CBS doesn’t divulge the salaries of their announcers. He made $10 million his last 2 years at Villanova. So, he easily could have made $1+ million in 26 prior seasons as a HC. So, I doubt he is hurting for money.
After 40 years of coaching, maybe he wants a change. He might be having fun doing what he is doing. 40 years can take a toll on a person.
Giants74, again, he’s turning down > $10M per year.
The offers come every year, so the speculation will continue.
“Why should he bother with the hassle?” may make the most sense to you, but none of us know for sure.
I agree money is a motivator. I just can’t see Rose choosing a college coach over a pro. This is his most important hire. He gets this wrong. Dolan will step in. Malone helped Jokic reach his peaks. He is looking at that for KAT.
He’s a college coach who won with the current lineup. While the NBA may be different than college ball, basketball is basketball and he knows those guys better than most and if Rose feels this is the team that can win, then I don’t see why Wright would not be a top candidate for the position if he’s interested.
Kings, Bucks and the Knicks are coming back to the lottery soon. What a joke
HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA
Yeah the Knicks are getting Giannis when that stupid bubble thing Dolan owns in LV fits up his @ss!
How’s about giving Patrick Ewing a shot at coaching these KNICKS.
No.
It’s gunna be Jalen’s dad.
Milwaukee will want at least 3 firsts for Giannis, and the Knicks have none to offer.
Giannis and Brunson a bad pairing for same reason Giannis and Dame doesn’t work well.
The Knicks were better with Randle. Towns needs to be traded if they want to win a championship. He is a choker like Harden.
No one is a choker like Harden. In a class of his own.
So true.
He’s not a choker. He’s a poor defender.
Malone, and it might already be a handshake deal to date, probably news dump it in 2 weeks when the stoves already ultra hot leaguewide
Hope so, for multiple reasons. Great coach, who also fits the roster. It would indicate Rose had a plan all along, as well as that Rose is truly the one calling the shots.
Optimism aside, NYK fans (including me) need to be prepared for a Babysitter.
NYK FO gives nothing to any outside media, so these reports mean nothing. The same sources reported a few days ago that Thibs had the FO’s support. Their “interest” in Kidd and Udoka is along those lines. NYK have a couple of weeks. If it’s like all their other moves, then it will made out of the blue, and from a direction that hasn’t been media identified.
Knicks should interview Nick Nurse, NBA championship winning coach of the Raptors
Amazing how many Knicks fans are saying things about Thibs that are exactly what everyone else was saying when the Knicks hired him. I guess it takes them a few years to comprehend things what others already knew.
You know what the Knicks need as a coach and front office guy? They should get a guy like Pat Riley. Look how he transformed the Heat from a middling, irrelevant franchise to a respected franchise for years.
I never understood why the Knicks have never brought in a guy like Pat Riley.
Ohhhh…wait!
Halliburton this year: 35.8% assist rate and 5.91 assist to turnover ratio.
This regular season:
Jalen Brunson 23.5% assist rate and 2.90 assist to turnover ratio.
Is this Thibs’ fault? Will a different coach fix this? Maybe, but probably not.
Knicks don’t have assets to go after another teams coach. Unless it’s strictly for cash. And I don’t think NBA allows that……. right Dana !!
Dolan is letting Rose run the Knicks. Don’t believe the hype. Media is all about misinformation to create news so they can be relevant. They don’t care if Knicks win. As long as there are plenty of stories to exploit. The Knicks were a mess before Thibs got here. All infighting and backstabbing. Trying to get closer to Dolan. The media loved the insanity. Thibs brought back respectability and accountability. Thats why real fans here wanted Thibs.
This time is too important for Rose to go after Wright. Knicks are knocking on Finals door. Michael Malone has been there and done it. He is a 2way coach. He is also from Queens Astoria NY. A homey who understands the Knicks and its fans. He also coached Jokic up to be The Joker. Rose is looking for same magic. To help Towns become the Big Game KAT…….. has to be M-n-M ….