DENIED! 5 NBA coaches the Knicks were barred from pursuing
DENIED! 5 NBA coaches the Knicks were barred from pursuing
It's kind of an awkward time for the New York Knicks, to say the least.
The franchise that got close to the 2025 NBA Finals promptly fired head coach Tom Thibodeau after the Knicks' season ended, with buzz over some possible names they could interview and replace Thibs with.
Thing is, thus far they've reportedly picked out some names that are under contract with other teams. I guess that was Plan A? To see if they could trade for a big name? It's led to some awkwardness (just ask Charles Barkley)
So now it's on to Plan B. Because all of these names, per reports, have been denied to the Knicks given their current status.
Let's run down those names as we wait to see who they gravitate towards now:
Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
The rumblings were there was some "mutual" interest but ultimately the Dallas Mavericks said "NOPE!"
Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets
I guess the Knicks were just shooting for the best possible names, because I don't see there being a way Udoka would leave the emerging Rockets.
Chris Finch, Minnesota Timberwolves
Same here. Not sure if a team that's a contender would be OK with another contender grabbing their head coach, compensation or not.
Quin Snyder, Atlanta Hawks
At least you tried.
Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls
Maybe this one was seen as more attainable? I dunno.
Hey Knicks: maybe consult our list of seven possible Knicks coaching candidates?
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
40 minutes ago
Hartenstein back in starting lineup for Thunder for Game 4 of the NBA Finals vs. Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS -- Oklahoma City went back to the lineup it used throughout the first three rounds of the playoffs on Friday night, returning Isaiah Hartenstein to the starting five for Game 4 of the NBA Finals against Indiana. Hartenstein started alongside MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Lu Dort and Chet Holmgren. The Hartenstein-Holmgren pairing gives the Thunder a pair of 7-footers in the opening five, and Oklahoma City was 12-4 in the Western Conference playoffs when starting that lineup. That fivesome was also 9-4 when starting games together in the regular season. The Thunder had Hartenstein coming off the bench for the first three games of the finals, with Cason Wallace starting in his place. Indiana took two of those three games. 'We have a lot of optionality that we draw on, almost nightly,' Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said earlier in the finals. 'If you followed our team throughout the season, I think you know that flexibility and adaptability is the only constant. We're never staying the same. I know we started the same lineup in the playoffs, but our rotation night to night in these series has been incredibly variant. We think that's a strength of our team.' The change comes after Indiana scored 50 points in the paint in Game 3, after managing only 34 in each of the first two games of the series.
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Tyrese Haliburton reveals he has ‘24/7' group chat with Cailtin Clark
The best basketball players in Indiana are also seemingly best friends. Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers revealed to ESPN that he and Fever star Caitlin Clark are all in a group chat together. Haliburton's girlfriend, Jade Jones, and Clark's boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, are both in the chat. 'We're talking 24/7,' Haliburton shared with ESPN. 'The four of us hang out all the time,' he added. 4 Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton has seen his star rise in the NBA Playoffs. Getty Images During Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Clark was cheering on Haliburton as he scored 22 points with 11 assists. 4 Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) talks to Indiana Pacer guard Tyrese Haliburton after defeating the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on August 16, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images His great stat line helped the Pacers take a 2-1 series lead over the Thunder. In addition to the group chat, Haliburton also confirmed that the four go on double dates together. Also inside that group chat is a video that has not been released to the public yet. It turns out that Clark is so supportive of the Pacers' star that she records herself reacting to game-winning plays at the end of games. 'I videotaped myself, like, the final play, and I have my reaction in real time. It's a pretty iconic video,' Clark said. 'Maybe one day everybody will see it, but no, not right now.' 4 Caitlin Clark at Game 3 of the NBA finals, along with her Indiana Fever teammates, Aaliyah Boston and Natasha Howard. Getty Images Haliburton confirmed the validity of this video and said that Clark was 'going crazy.' Both players are the stars of their teams in the Indianapolis market and have helped make their teams even more relevant this past year-plus. The Pacers this year broke a 25-year NBA finals drought with the help of Haliburton. Clark, after being drafted by the Fever, was named 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year and led the Fever to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. 4 Caitlin Clark (L) of the Indiana Fever and Tyrese Haliburton (2nd R) of the Indiana Pacers react in a game between the Western Michigan Broncos and the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on November 11, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Getty Images The good news for Indiana basketball fans is that both star players want to stay with their teams for the entirety of their careers. 'Ty and I would both tell you this is where we both hope to stay the rest of our careers,' Clark said.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Tyrese Haliburton's girlfriend celebrates his Game 1 heroics in Pacers' comeback win to open NBA Finals
Jade Jones celebrated the Pacers' Game 1 win over the Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals. Tyrese Haliburton's girlfriend made the trip to Oklahoma City to support the Pacers guard in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday. Jade Jones was especially hyped after Haliburton's go-ahead jumper with 0.3 seconds remaining beat the Thunder, 111-110, after the Pacers trailed by 15 points in the fourth quarter. Advertisement '3 more!!!!' Jones wrote, including a Pacers' graphic with the final score. The blonde beauty, who is a former Iowa State cheerleader, rocked a pair of custom jeans with Haliburton's name down the leg. Jones and her friend skipped out of Paycom Center while waving yellow Pacers rally towels, as seen in another video on her Instagram Story. Jade Jones made the trip to Oklahoma City to support boyfriend Tyrese Haliburton in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Instagram/Jade Jones Tyrese Haliburton's girlfriend Jade Jones celebrated the Pacers' win over the Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Instagram/Jade Jones Jade Jones and her friend skipped their way out of Paycom Center while waving their yellow Pacers' rally towels after the Pacers beat the Thunder with a game-winner from Tyrese Haliburton in Game 1. Instagram/Jade Jones Jones has supported Haliburton throughout his NBA career, which began when the Kings selected him in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft. The couple, who began dating while they were students at Iowa State, celebrated six years together in April. Jones also reshared a post on X from Fever star Caitlin Clark, who wrote, 'YOU CAN'T MAKE IT UP,' with a bunch of crying-laughing emojis. Advertisement Jones and Haliburton are close friends with Clark and her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, a former Pacers assistant. Clark, who attended the Pacers' Game 6 win over the Knicks to win the Eastern Conference title last week, wasn't at Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Haliburton finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in Game 1 and was the hero of the night. Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) shoots a jumper against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) during the second half of Game 1 of the NBA Finals basketball series Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Oklahoma City. AP His game-winner marked his fourth game-tying or go-ahead field goal in the final five seconds of the fourth quarter during the Pacers' playoff run. Oklahoma City controlled the game until the fourth quarter. Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) leaves the court after winning Game 1 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the Oklahoma City Thunder Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Oklahoma City. AP The Pacers outscored the Thunder, 32-16, in the final 9:30 after trailing, 94-79. Advertisement It was the Thunder's first home loss this season against an Eastern Conference team (15-1). The Pacers lead the best-of-seven series against the Thunder, 1-0. Game 2 takes place Sunday in Oklahoma City at 8 p.m. ET.
