How Knicks' coaching candidates list looks after early denials
The Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau without a clear idea of who would replace him. That was our immediate reporting when it happened and very obvious today as several candidates were scratched off the board.
But as we also reported, the Knicks aren't in a rush. They are comfortable with a vacancy until Summer League if necessary, and the recent strikeouts involving coaches under contract were part of the process of starting with the top of the list, according to multiple sources.
Advertisement
Another phrase that could apply: due diligence.
Unfortunately for the Knicks, that diligence led to firm 'absolutely not' replies from the teams currently contractually tied to Ime Udoka, Chris Finch, Quin Snyder and Jason Kidd.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Insider details 4 reasons why New York Knicks are in love with idea of Jason Kidd as new head coach
A top NBA insider recently explained why the New York Knicks are so high on the idea of making Jason Kidd their next head coach. Including having the support of top star Jalen Brunson. It has only been a week since the Knicks fired respected head coach Tom Thibodeau. However, when it comes to such a major franchise, the speculation about his potential replacement has been a notable topic around the league. And Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd appears to be the team's top choice. But why? Especially with championship-winning coaches like Mike Budenholzer and Michael Malone available. Advertisement Well, veteran NBA insider Marc Stein tried to shed new light on why the Knicks are so enamored with the one-time New Jersey Nets superstar. Firstly, owner James Dolan is familiar and comfortable with the Hall of Famer. After he played a key role on their 54-win team in 2012-13. But also Kidd interviewed for the Knicks' head coaching job in 2020 before they settled on Thibodeau. The second reason Stein explained is an important one in today's game, where elite stars are given a surprising amount of influence on coaching hires. 'Knicks star guard Jalen Brunson is widely presumed to be a strong Kidd advocate after they worked so well together for a season in Dallas,' he wrote. Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Kidd's first year as head coach in Dallas (2021-22) was when Brunson had the breakout season that helped get the Mavericks to the West Finals and landed him a huge free agent deal from New York that summer. Advertisement Another key reason why the Knicks are interested in the 10-time All-Star is that he is one of the few former players who has put together a notable run as a head coach. The NBA insider claims that specific quality has a serious appeal to New York's front office. Lastly, having played seven seasons during his career in the tri-state area and being used to the New York media also makes Jason Kidd such a strong head coach candidate for the organization. 'Kidd also has considerable familiarity in dealing with the glaring Gotham spotlight as well as the New York media from his time as both a Knick and a Nets player and coach,' Stein wrote. 'That's a hugely important aspect of the job. Given that Thibodeau was so often thrust into the role of team spokesman for a franchise whose executives are extremely media-avoidant.' Related Headlines
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Knicks lost ‘swagger' when they traded Donte DiVincenzo: Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson thinks the Knicks need their swagger back. The Hall of Famer believes New York lost its toughness and edge after trading Donte DiVincenzo to the Timberwolves in the Karl-Anthony Towns deal, which he believes cost the team in the Eastern Conference finals against the Pacers. 'The swagger left the Knicks when [DiVincenzo] got traded, and they don't have that swagger again,' Johnson said on ESPN's 'Get Up' on Thursday. 'See, they got nice guys, but they don't have tough, mean guys, and that's what Donte brought to the table.' Advertisement 3 Donte DiVincenzo with the Knicks in the second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Johnson said DiVincenzo would have been a perfect answer to Indiana's depth and physicality, which seemingly wore out the Knicks' top-heavy roster over the six-game series. 'I love what Donte brought from the bench when he came on the floor, and New York Knicks fans loved him because he was tough, he was mean, but also he could score,' Johnson said. Advertisement In his one season in New York, DiVincenzo proved to be a volume scorer when needed, with no better example than last season's second-round series against the Pacers, when the Villanova product stepped up to average 22.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists. DiVincenzo's role in that series was elevated with the Knicks ravaged by injury, but the shooting guard was a key offensive contributor all year, and he averaged a career-high 15.5 points in the regular season. 3 Magic Johnson said he thinks 'the swagger left the Knicks' after Donte DiVincenzo was traded. @GetUpESPN/X Advertisement And the tough, mean persona Johnson speaks of was on display throughout the season, with DiVincenzo never afraid to get into it with opposing players and stand up for his teammates. That didn't stop Leon Rose and the Knicks from dealing DiVincenzo and Julius Randle to the Timberwolves for Towns last offseason — a move Johnson seems to think was a mistake, even if New York advanced to its first conference finals in 25 years behind the duo of KAT and Jalen Brunson. 3 The Knicks traded Donte Divincenzo to the Timberwolves as part of a deal for Karl-Anthony Towns. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST '[DiVincenzo] could get you 15 to 25 points when he came off that bench and they missed that, that contribution that he brought to the team,' Johnson added.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Knicks' Jalen Brunson talks firing of Tom Thibodeau, what former coach has meant to his career
It's been more than a week since the Knicks fired head coach Tom Thibodeau, and while the basketball world and players like Josh Hart have voiced their thoughts on the job Thibodeau has done for the team, we haven't heard from team captain Jalen Brunson. Brunson was very close to Thibodeau, with his father Rick Brunson working as Thibodeau's assistant with the Bulls, Timberwolves and Knicks. When the Knicks were ousted from the NBA Playoffs after Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Brunson defended his coach when asked about Thibodeau's ability to get this team over the top. Advertisement However, the organization decided to go in a different direction and Brunson has finally spoken for the first time after the decision on the June 12 episode of the Roommates Show, his podcast with Hart. Both players spoke about the firing and what Thibodeau meant to them. 'We want to give a shoutout to Thibs, man, you know, especially for myself,' Hart started. 'He helped make me into the player I am. I had a lot of instability in the early part of my career and he gave me that stability and that opportunity to flourish as a player in the league, a starter in the league, so I'm always going to be forever grateful for him. "This is always a tough part of the NBA because you grow relationships not just on the court but off the court and personal relationships, so I always got love for him. It's always tough when there's a coaching change." Brunson, who was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks and only had a coach change on him once when Rick Carlisle resigned to sign with the Pacers, so this is uncharted territory for the All-Star guard. Brunson chose to highlight what Thibodeau has done for his career since signing with New York. Advertisement 'This is my first firing. Obviously, I've known him my entire life, but I remember having conversations and moments with him in 8th grade when we moved to Chicago. And to see where he helped me become two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA. The things he's done for me individually, I'm so grateful for," Brunson said. "He had that confidence in me that I knew I had, but it's great to see someone push me to be better…. to have Thibs, and to do what he did for my career, I'm so grateful and thankful for. Not enough things can be said about what he's meant to myself and my career.' When both were asked if they had any inkling that the firing would happen or if Thibodeau was on the hot seat, Hart who has had multiple coaching changes in his eight-year career, put it best. "We had a really good year. It didn't end how we wanted it to end. Sometimes when the season doesn't end the way you expect it to, there's always changes. Whether that's coaches, players," Hart said. "Thibs is my sixth coach in eight years. The NBA coaching profession is tough. Whenever you don't finish the way you expect, there's always gonna be changes. That one was a tough one. There should be nothing but praise for him and his time in New York.' 'I agree. 100 percent,' Brunson responded. Advertisement Thibodeau joined the Knicks ahead of the 2019-20 season, and in five seasons, he amassed a 226-174 record in the regular season, going 24-23 in the playoffs. He coached the Knicks to the playoffs in four of his five seasons, had back-to-back 50-win seasons and took New York to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. Whoever becomes the next coach of the Knicks will have big shoes to fill. "[Thibodeau] took that job when the Knicks were just buns," Hart, who was traded to the Knicks in 2023, said. "They were 20 wins. He got that job for five years, made the playoffs in four years, first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years. He helped Knicks basketball go back to the top level in the league. He should get a lot of credit for the foundation that he built."
