On Wednesday, the Knicks requested permission to speak with Jason Kidd and the Mavericks responded with a “firm rejection,” according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Dallas’ rejection now throws another wrench in the Knicks’ plan to hire a head coach to replace the fired Tom Thibodeau. The team also got denied permission to speak with Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch and Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka, according to reports.
The team could still request permission to speak with other head coaches around the NBA.
New York’s head coaching role remains vacant after the team surprisingly fired Thibodeau last week. The move came after Thibodeau led the Knicks to the team’s first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years.
On Wednesday, Thibodeau expressed his gratitude in a full-page ad in the New York Times.
“To the best city in the world with the best fans in the world: Thank you,” the former Knicks coach wrote.
“When I was hired in 2020, I said this was my dream job. I am grateful that dream became a reality. Thank you to our players and coaching staff who gave everything they had, and to everyone who makes this franchise special.”
He went 226-174 as head coach in New York and missed the postseason just once in his tenure.
This is a developing story. Check back for more details.
https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/06/11/mavericks-deny-knicks-request-jason-kidd-thibodeau/