The New York Knicks have made headlines by firing head coach Tom Thibodeau shortly after their surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals, a feat they hadn’t achieved since 2000. This unexpected move has opened the door for rumors linking Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd to the Knicks.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Knicks are showing interest in Kidd, who has garnered respect during his tenure in Dallas. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon added that while it’s unclear if Kidd desires to leave the Mavericks, there have been significant franchise decisions made that he wasn’t fully supportive of. This hints at possible friction within the Mavericks organization.
Kidd has been with the Mavericks for four seasons, making a notable impact by leading the team to the NBA Finals in 2024. Additionally, his history with the Knicks adds another layer of intrigue; he played his final NBA season in New York during the 2012-13 season, which may make a return appealing to him.
As the Knicks rebuild after their recent playoff performance, the prospect of landing a coach with Kidd’s experience and connection to the franchise could represent a fresh start and further ambitions for the team.
This development underscores the dynamic nature of the NBA coaching scene, where franchises seek to align their visions to achieve success. The speculation around Kidd’s potential interest reflects both the challenges of team management and the constant evolution of coaching strategies in the league.