Knicks’ coaching search about to take serious Jason Kidd turn: NBA insider
By Peter Botte
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The Knicks are considering a Hall of Fame name with organizational ties in their coaching search after the firing of Tom Thibodeau.
The Knicks will “formally ask for permission…in the coming days” to speak with current Mavericks coach Jason Kidd about their vacancy, according to a report Friday by longtime NBA writer Marc Stein on his Substack account.
Kidd, who played the final season of his NBA career with the Knicks during their 54-win campaign under Mike Woodson in 2012-13, led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals one year ago.
Kidd’s first year at the helm with the Mavs also marked the final season for Jalen Brunson in Dallas, and they developed a strong relationship before Brunson became a two-time All-Star point guard after signing with the Knicks as a free agent in 2022.
The Mavs missed the playoffs after trading superstar guard Luka Doncic to the Lakers in February, but they landed the No. 1 overall pick — expected to be Duke’s Cooper Flagg — in the lottery last month.
Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks at a press conference.
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Jason Kidd during a 2025 press conference.
NBAE via Getty Images
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Kidd signed a contract extension (for two years, through 2026-27, per Stein) in Dallas in May of last year. Thus, a potential hiring for the Knicks would presumably require compensation to the Mavericks.
There have been multiple instances of a team sending compensation to another organization to hire its coach — one of which actually involved Kidd, who began his head coaching career with the Nets in 2013 right after he retired as a player.
When the Bucks then hired Kidd as coach in 2014, they shipped the Nets two 2nd-round picks. Prior to that, the Celtics also received an unprotected first-round pick as compensation from the Clippers to facilitate Doc Rivers switching teams in 2013.
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Jason Kidd and Jalen Brunson (l) during a 2021 game.
Getty Images
Kidd began his head-coaching career with the Nets upon retirement as a player in 2013-14, but the former point guard spent only one season in Brooklyn before moving to the Bucks the following year.
The Nets recouped two second-round draft picks as compensation.
The Celtics also received an unprotected first-round pick as compensation from the Clippers to facilitate Doc Rivers switching teams in 2013.
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The now 52-year-old Kidd spent three-plus seasons coaching Giannis Antetokounmpo early in the two-time MVP’s career in Milwaukee, compiling a 139-152 record before getting fired 45 games into the 2017-18 season.
Injured New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson speaks with Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd.
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Kidd and Brunson in 2024.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Following two years as an assistant coach with the Lakers, he was hired in Dallas in 2021 to replace Rick Carlisle, who has fronted the Pacers to the Finals this spring.
Kidd’s career winning percentage as a head coach is .516 (362-339) plus a 31-33 mark in postseason play.
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Kidd also had been considered by the Knicks and was reported to be the runner-up when the Knicks tabbed Thibodeau as their head coach in 2020.
ESPN insider Tim McMahon reported earlier this week that Kidd’s “ears would perk up” if the Knicks expressed interest in him, adding “I would not dismiss that possibility.”
Team president Leon Rose axed Thibodeau after four trips to the playoffs in five seasons after the Knicks lost to Indiana last week in the Eastern Conference finals.
Jason Kidd dribbling the ball during a Knicks game.
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Jason Kidd during his time with the Knicks in 2013.
Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Other names linked to the Knicks’ opening include former associate coach Johnnie Bryant, who spent last season on Kenny Atkinson’s staff with the Cavaliers.
Stein also reported that any potential overtures by the Knicks seeking permission to speak with Houston head coach Ime Udoka “would be swiftly rebuffed” by the Rockets.
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