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NBC Sports
19 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Report: New York to ask Dallas for permission to talk to Jason Kidd about becoming head coach
The New York Knicks — searching for a new coach after the firing of Tom Thibodeau, who led them to the Eastern Conference Finals — are expected to ask permission of the Dallas Mavericks to talk to Jason Kidd about coming to Manhattan, reports Marc Stein of The Stein Line in his latest Substack missive. 'The New York Knicks are expected to formally request permission to speak to the Dallas Mavericks' Jason Kidd about their coaching vacancy in coming days, league sources say... A precise hierarchy of potential Knicks targets to replace Thibodeau has yet to emerge, but some in league coaching circles believe that Kidd... is at the top of New York's wish list.' Kidd coached Brunson for a year in Dallas, and the two had a good relationship (Brunson's issues in Dallas were about his next contract and feeling lowballed and disrespected, not the coaching). Two big questions emerge here. First, would Dallas give permission for New York to talk to Kidd? Mavs ownership/management can say no, which is reportedly what Houston would do if New York called about Ime Udoka (Stein wrote that the Knicks would like Udoka, but knows they would be turned down if they asked). As a standard practice, if the coach is open to it, teams will let their coach have those conversations with another team, but if things get serious and the coach wants to move on then draft compensation has to come back to the coach's current team (and the Knicks are not flush with draft picks to send to Dallas). Kidd signed an extension with Dallas that runs through 2027 and by all accounts is happy there, Stein reports. Second, would Kidd want the job? ESPN's Tim MacMahon said on the outlet's 'Hoop Collective' podcast that Kidd's 'ears would perk up' at the idea, adding that the Knicks need to bring in a 'relationship guy' and Kidd fits that bill. 'Listen, one of the names that's been thrown out there is a man who's under contract with another team, but definitely a guy who has relationships not just with Jalen Brunson but with a lot of people in that organization, and that's Jason Kidd. And what I will say about that is I would not dismiss that possibility.' Kidd was hired to be the Mavericks' coach by former owner Mark Cuban. In the wake of the ownership change and the Luka Doncic trade, would he want out? Dallas still has talent on the roster, including Kyrie Irving (out for most or all of next season with a torn ACL), Anthony Davis, and incoming No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, as well as solid players such as P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall, and others. If the Knicks can't get Kidd or Udoka, where do they turn next? They reportedly want an experienced head coach, which would rule out former assistant Johnnie Bryant (who is now in Cleveland and was a finalist for the Suns job). Michael Malone is out there, but he is seen as similar to Thibodeau in leaning too heavily into his starters and being set in his ways. Former Cavaliers, Lakers and most recently Kings coach Mike Brown is available, he is a defense-first guy, but is he an upgrade over Thibodeau that takes them to the next level? The Knicks moved on from Thibodeau without a replacement lined up, which could make this search messy.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Jason Kidd's ‘ears would perk up' if Knicks pursued him: ESPN insider
One insider isn't ruling out Jason Kidd becoming the Knicks' next coach. Kidd is currently in charge of the Mavericks, meaning the Knicks would first need permission from Dallas just to interview and then negotiate compensation to allow the Mavericks to let him leave. But ESPN's Tim MacMahon pointed to Kidd's connections with the Knicks, who fired Tom Thibodeau Tuesday after five years with the team, as a reason to monitor the situation. 'You've got to bring in a relationships guy,' MacMahon said on the outlet's 'Hoop Collective' podcast. 'Listen, one of the names that's been thrown out there is a man who's under contract with another team, but definitely a guy who has relationships not just with Jalen Brunson but with a lot of people in that organization, and that's Jason Kidd. And what I will say about that is I would not dismiss that possibility.' 4 Jason Kidd is currently the Mavericks' head coach. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Brunson played under Kidd in his final season with the Mavericks before he left in free agency for the Knicks. Kidd has coached the Mavericks the past four years and led them to the NBA Finals last season before losing to the Celtics in five games. He signed a multi-year contract extension last year. This season was far more turbulent, particularly after the team's blockbuster decision in February to trade Luka Doncic to the Lakers. 4 Jason Kidd and Jalen Brunson before a 2024 game. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Injuries to Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, the latter of whom was acquired as part of the Doncic trade, also derailed the team's plans. The Mavericks also previously moved parted ways with Casey Smith, who now serve as the Knicks' vice president of sports medicine and helped the roster stay healthy leading into and during the postseason. 4 The Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau after five seasons in charge. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post 'I'm not gonna sit here and tell you that I know or even think that J-Kidd wants out of Dallas, that would be going way too far,' MacMahon said. 'What I can comfortably say is there certainly have been decisions, major franchise decisions that have been made that he was not on board with, one of which includes the firing of Casey Smith, who J-Kidd has been extremely tight with since his second tenure as a player in Dallas, who is now running the health and performance group for the New York Knicks. 'I think it would be way too far to hint, suggest or any of that that J-Kidd is looking to get out of Dallas. I think that would be not an accurate or fair thing to say. But if this opportunity were to present itself, I bet you his ears would perk up.' 4 Brunson (r) and Kidd (l) during their time together in Dallas. NBAE via Getty Images Kidd previously coached the Nets and Bucks and served as an assistant with the Lakers before his Mavericks tenure.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA insider suggests Boston Celtics rival as threat to sign Al Horford
The status of Al Horford is one of several big questions the Celtics front office will face this offseason. The veteran big man signaled back in March that he planned on playing another next season in Boston. However, an early second-round exit to the Knicks combined with Jayson Tatum's Achilles tear had him hedging on those plans last month. 'Yeah, I'm just not ready to talk about that right now,' Horford said in May. 'I just need some time with my wife and my family, and that's what I plan on doing these next few weeks.' Advertisement Horford will be an unrestricted free agent after playing his last four seasons in Boston following the Celtics acquiring him from the Thunder in 2021. At 38 years old, it remains to be seen whether he'd be willing to play for a team that may not be a serious contender in Boston next season with Tatum sidelined. That uncertainty may open the door for opportunity for one of Boston's rivals as Tim Bontemps suggested on ESPN's Hoop Collective. 'Al Horford is a free agent,' Bontemps said. 'I don't think at this point it makes a lot of sense for Horford to be back in Boston. Maybe he will be, but given where things are with the Celtics, I think he's now much more in play than he might have been a month ago. Al Horford is a longtime friend of Karl-Anthony Towns and has played with him with the Dominican National team for a long time.' 'If (the Knicks) go get Al Horford this summer, who I think (Al) would be an unbelievable fit on this Knicks roster and they go get another perimeter player to deepen their rotation. That's a much better team and a team that could beat the Pacers next year. That's a team that'll be in the mix in the East.' The Knicks are currently already have salary committed beyond the first apron for next season so they wouldn't be able to offer anything beyond the taxpayer midlevel exception for next season. However, the Knicks' need for another versatile big is evident given Towns' defensive woes and the injury issues Mitchell Robinson has faced for the next two years. Advertisement If the Celtics avoid a bigger reset next season to the roster, the guess here is the team will still pitch Horford on returning for the next couple years in hopes they can make another deep playoff run once Tatum returns. However, if Horford is focused on having a better chance to win next season above all else if he continues playing, the Knicks are among several teams that will be worth watching on the free agency market. More Celtics content Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NBA rumors: Insider suggests Knicks could steal Celtics veteran
The post NBA rumors: Insider suggests Knicks could steal Celtics veteran appeared first on ClutchPoints. The New York Knicks were two wins short of reaching the NBA Finals, but now they have to go into the offseason wondering what they can do to improve the roster. Advertisement With the starting five looking to be set in stone for now, the one thing the Knicks need to focus on is building depth on the bench. It was obvious that's where most of their problems came from, and getting some solid pieces in the rotation could help them. As free agency begins on June 30, there will be several players whom the Knicks could sign, and one of them has been a veteran on the Boston Celtics, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps. 'Al Horford is a free agent,' Bontemps said on the Hoop Collective podcast. 'I don't think at this point it makes a lot of sense for … Horford to be back in Boston. Maybe he will be, but given where things are with the Celtics, I think he's now much more in play than he might have been a month ago.' A lot changed for the Celtics when Jayson Tatum went down with a torn Achilles, but there was always a chance that the core group of that team would get broken up during the offseason because of how much money is on their payroll. Horford could find a way to a team that has a better chance of winning next season, and the Knicks do make a lot of sense. Could Al Horford sign with the Knicks? Not only does it make sense for Horford to sign with the Knicks because of basketball reasons, but he also has a connection with one of the players on the team. Advertisement 'Horford is a longtime friend of (Karl-Anthony Towns and) has played with him with the Dominican National team for a long time,' Bontemps said. 'If they go get Al Horford this summer, … I think (he) would be an unbelievable fit on this Knicks roster.' Horford has played an important part for the Celtics on and off the court over the years, and he can be the player that the Knicks are looking for. He would be a solid backup to Towns, and he can play both the 4 and 5, so there are times they may decide to put both on the floor at the same time. It will be an interesting offseason for the Knicks, and hopefully, they can get some quality depth on the team.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Giannis Antetokounmpo Makes Post After Raptors Trade Report
Giannis Antetokounmpo Makes Post After Raptors Trade Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP and one of the NBA's most dominant forces, has become a focal point in offseason trade discussions following the Milwaukee Bucks' early playoff exit. Despite another stellar season where Antetokounmpo averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game with a 60.1% field goal percentage, the Bucks were eliminated in the first round by the Indiana Pacers, marking their third consecutive early postseason departure. Advertisement This pattern of playoff disappointments has intensified speculation about Antetokounmpo's future in Milwaukee. ESPN's Brian Windhorst recently highlighted on the Hoop Collective podcast that the Toronto Raptors are a team are "starting to make noise within the league about looking for a big fish," suggesting the 2019 NBA champions are positioning themselves to acquire a superstar talent. Adding to the intrigue, Doug Smith of the Toronto Star reported that there is "mutual interest" between Antetokounmpo and the Raptors. Smith noted that Toronto is "uniquely placed to make an attractive offer that won't ruin their franchise or roster," indicating that the Raptors have the assets and flexibility to pursue such a high-profile acquisition. Advertisement As these reports have been circulating in recent days, both from Windhorst and Smith, Antetokounmpo made a post to his Instagram story. The 2021 Finals MVP posted a selfie with two laughing emojis. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo posts on his Instagram / Instagram If is unclear what exactly Antetokounmpo meant with this post, but he has remained active on social media amid the trade buzz surrounding him. A potential trade for Antetokounmpo would have significant implications for both franchises. For the Bucks, it could signal the end of an era and the beginning of a rebuild, while the Raptors would instantly elevate to contender status in the Eastern Conference. Advertisement Related: Raptors Facing Backlash After Pascal Siakam News Related: Kawhi Leonard Fans Upset With Draymond Green's New Comments This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
