After parting ways with Tom Thibodeau earlier this month, the New York Knicks entered the coaching market with high hopes — only to be met with one roadblock after another.
Just days after being denied permission to speak with Houston’s Ime Udoka and Minnesota’s Chris Finch, reports surfaced that the Knicks had also been blocked from contacting other top-tier names: Dallas’ Jason Kidd, Chicago’s Billy Donovan, and Atlanta’s Quin Snyder.
It was a frustrating week for Knicks management, who clearly wanted to land an elite-level coach to lead a roster built for contention.
Jason Kidd: Mutual Interest That Never Materialized
There was early buzz about mutual interest between Kidd and the Knicks. After all, he spent his final NBA season in New York and has deep ties to the area.
But it quickly became clear that Kidd wasn’t looking to leave Dallas. With the Mavericks fresh off a trip to the 2024 Finals and newly armed with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft, Kidd saw no reason to walk away from a team on the rise.
Dallas reportedly shut down the Knicks’ request almost immediately, reinforcing the idea that Kidd wasn’t going anywhere.
Billy Donovan: Respected but Not Going Anywhere
Donovan, who played briefly for the Knicks in 1987–88, is widely respected across the league for his leadership and player development skills. He’s led the Chicago Bulls since 2020 and, despite a .488 win percentage, remains highly valued within the organization.
While the Knicks showed interest, the Bulls made it clear they weren’t interested in letting him go — especially not during a critical offseason for their own franchise.
Chicago sees Donovan as a key figure in navigating the future of a young core, and they’re not willing to lose him without a fight.
Quin Snyder: A Coach Without a Clear Path Forward
Snyder has long been considered one of the best offensive minds in the NBA. His time with the Utah Jazz brought consistent success, though playoff disappointments eventually cost him his job.
Now coaching the Hawks, Snyder hasn’t seen the same level of success yet in Atlanta — and while there’s no indication the Hawks are ready to move on from him, they also haven’t opened the door for discussions with other teams.
That leaves the Knicks out of luck once again.
Finch and Udoka: Other Names That Fell Through
Chris Finch, who has led the Timberwolves to back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances, was never realistically going to leave Minnesota. The same goes for Udoka, whose rocky exit from Boston was followed by a strong second chance in Houston.
With both franchises unwilling to grant interview permissions, the Knicks found themselves locked out of nearly every major coaching name currently under contract.
What’s Next for the Knicks?
Despite the setbacks, the Knicks still have options. Internal candidates like John Wallace and Trevor Ariza could get consideration, though many expect them to continue pursuing experienced coaches still available.
Names like Monty Williams, JJ Redick, or even former players with coaching aspirations (like Steve Nash or Derek Fisher) might come into play if the Knicks decide to pivot toward fresh voices or developmental-minded leaders.
For now, though, the Knicks must regroup — and fast — with the 2025 season looming and a roster built to win now.
The Knicks had big ambitions in their coaching search, but reality hit hard. With so many top candidates unavailable, New York may need to rethink its strategy or wait for the right opportunity to open up elsewhere.
One thing is certain: landing the right coach will be crucial for the next chapter of Knicks basketball.
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