NBA Teams Block Knicks from Contacting Coaches \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The New York Knicks were denied interviews with Jason Kidd, Ime Udoka, and Chris Finch. All three are under contract, and their teams refused the Knicks’ requests. The Knicks continue their search to replace Tom Thibodeau, who was fired on June 3.
Quick Looks
- Knicks denied permission to interview Kidd, Udoka, Finch
- All three coaches are currently under contract
- Mavericks, Rockets, and Timberwolves blocked access to interviews
- Hawks also declined Knicks’ request to interview Quin Snyder
- Tom Thibodeau was dismissed despite strong playoff performance
- Knicks exploring both employed and available coaching candidates
- Kidd and Udoka previously interviewed in 2020
- Newly available coaches include Malone, Jenkins, and Brown
Deep Look
The New York Knicks have run into significant hurdles as they begin the search for their next head coach following the firing of Tom Thibodeau. According to reports confirmed by ESPN and the Associated Press, the Knicks were recently denied permission to speak with several high-profile, currently-employed NBA head coaches. Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks, Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets, and Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves were all requested for interviews — and all three requests were declined by their respective teams.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the organizations are unwilling to allow their current head coaches to participate in the Knicks’ interview process, as all three are under contract and actively leading playoff-contending teams. Due to the confidentiality of the hiring process, the sources spoke on condition of anonymity.
These early roadblocks underscore the challenge the Knicks face in finding a worthy replacement for Thibodeau, who was dismissed on June 3 despite delivering notable success. During his five-year tenure, Thibodeau led the Knicks to four playoff appearances and two consecutive 50-win seasons. His leadership culminated in a run to the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals — the franchise’s first trip to that stage in 25 years. His departure, though abrupt to some fans, reflects the organization’s ambition to pursue a new direction and possibly a new coaching identity.
The Knicks’ coaching search seems to be split between evaluating top-tier unemployed candidates and making a calculated effort to see if they can lure any sitting head coaches away from their posts. This strategy, though ambitious, has proven unproductive so far.
Jason Kidd, who is fresh off leading the Dallas Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals, remains firmly entrenched in Dallas. The Mavericks confirmed that they had denied New York’s request for an interview. Kidd has not only achieved postseason success with Dallas but also has a previous connection to New York, having ended his Hall of Fame playing career with the Knicks during their 2013 playoff run.
Ime Udoka, who guided the Houston Rockets to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference in just his first year with a rebuilding squad, is also staying put. Udoka, like Kidd, interviewed with Knicks president Leon Rose in 2020 before the organization ultimately hired Thibodeau. Udoka’s rapid turnaround of the young Rockets roster has made him a cornerstone of Houston’s future plans.
Chris Finch has led the Minnesota Timberwolves to back-to-back appearances in the Western Conference Finals, dramatically reshaping the franchise’s long-struggling playoff reputation. Like Dallas and Houston, Minnesota has no interest in allowing outside teams to disrupt the continuity they’ve built under Finch’s guidance.
The Knicks also reached out to the Atlanta Hawks to interview head coach Quin Snyder, another respected name with playoff experience. That request, too, was denied, according to additional reporting by ESPN. Snyder, who took over the Hawks during a transitional period, has since established a system the front office is committed to maintaining.
This leaves the Knicks in a precarious position. While their preference may lean toward proven, currently-employed coaches, they are quickly realizing that organizations with successful, stable leadership are reluctant to consider any kind of change. With top targets off-limits, the Knicks must now pivot to other options, many of whom have become newly available this season.
Notable names in the current coaching free agent pool include Michael Malone, Taylor Jenkins, and Mike Brown. Malone, who coached the Denver Nuggets to the 2023 NBA title, was unexpectedly fired near the end of the 2024 regular season after a disappointing campaign. Jenkins, who helped the Memphis Grizzlies to two 50-win seasons, also became available after being dismissed amid internal team struggles. Meanwhile, Mike Brown — a two-time NBA Coach of the Year — was let go by the Sacramento Kings earlier this season after falling short of expectations despite early success.
Each of these candidates brings a distinct coaching philosophy and resume. Malone’s defensive tenacity and playoff experience, Jenkins’ player development track record, and Brown’s balanced systems and adaptability all make them attractive options for a franchise looking to build on recent success.
The Knicks’ coaching decision is pivotal. After years of inconsistency, the Thibodeau era restored credibility to the team, making New York a consistent postseason presence and rekindling fan excitement. Replacing him with the right leader is crucial to maintaining momentum and capitalizing on a roster that now expects to win.
Thibodeau himself exited with grace, taking out a full-page ad in The New York Times to thank the Knicks organization, players, fellow coaches, and fans. In his farewell message, he described his time with the team as an unforgettable experience, a classy and heartfelt acknowledgment of a successful, if incomplete, chapter in Knicks history.
As the Knicks front office navigates these early setbacks, the pressure to find a coach capable of not just matching Thibodeau’s results — but surpassing them — will only increase. With top-tier coaches locked into their current roles, and a competitive landscape full of eager teams and rising stars, the next move by Knicks president Leon Rose could shape the franchise’s trajectory for years to come.
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