The New York Knicks find themselves at a crossroads. In the wake of Tom Thibodeau’s sudden departure after guiding the team to their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000, the franchise has made bold moves—but hit immediate roadblocks.
The Attempts That Fell Flat
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Knicks formally requested permission to interview Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka and Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch. Both organizations swiftly declined. The Rockets cited Udoka’s ongoing commitment (52‑30 this season), and the Timberwolves made a similar move to retain Finch, fresh off back‑to‑back Western Conference Finals appearances .
The High Stakes Behind the Requests
Securing an interview with an established head coach is rare and signals the Knicks’ aggressive intent to land a championship‑caliber leader.
- Ime Udoka (47) revived the Rockets’ playoff hopes and ranked third in Coach of the Year voting .
- Chris Finch (55) consistently delivered postseason success on Minnesota’s resurgent roster.
Yet, both teams denied permission, illustrating how fiercely they guard coaching continuity.
Jason Kidd: Another Blocked Path?
Reports reveal Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd is also high on the Knicks’ radar. Though no formal interview request has been made, sources suggest Dallas would reject it. Kidd’s two‑year contract and ascending Mavericks performance make him unlikely to accept a mid‑contract switch.
🧭 Why This Matters to Knicks Fans
- Delay in Filling a Key Role: These rebuffs leave New York scrambling just weeks before camp and Summer League.
- Reputation & Leverage: Being perceived as a “poaching” franchise could strain future negotiations with current coaches.
- Risk of Overreaching: Chasing high‑profile names under contract might backfire — costing time without results.
What’s Left on the Table?
With top-tier current coaches off the board, the Knicks may turn to:
- Free agents or college coaches — such as Taylor Jenkins, Mike Brown, Luke Walton, or Johnnie Bryant.
- Former assistants or recent finalists — e.g., Jay Wright (though he’s reportedly uninterested).
These options offer continuity and affordability—but little fanfare.
✅ Four Takeaways for Knicks Nation
| Insight | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 1. Top of the market is locked | Rockets, Wolves, and Mavericks aren’t budging on their coaches. |
| 2. Time is of the essence | Knicks need a candidate before July’s Summer League. |
| 3. Private vs. public pursuit | Transparent “permission” requests may hurt future leverage. |
| 4. Backup plan likely pending | Free agents and X’s & O’s-focused coaches are next in line. |
Final Thoughts
The Knicks’ move to request interviews with Udoka and Finch shows serious ambition—but it also reveals the tight market for top coaching talent. With those doors closed and Kidd likely out, the franchise now faces a critical decision: pivot to under‑contract, less high‑profile coaches—or risk ending up with a secondary choice. Either way, summer in New York just got a lot more interesting.