New York Knicks’ Jason Kidd pursuit has major development: Report

After the New York Knicks’ Eastern Conference finals loss to the Indiana Pacers, they are reportedly planning to request permission to interview Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd.

New York has notably parted ways with Tom Thibodeau despite the veteran coach leading the team to its first ECF appearance in 25 years. According to The Stein Line, the team is preparing to make a run at Kidd.

“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,” Marc Stein wrote on Friday.

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Stein also previously reported that the Knicks are interested in Kidd, who signed a multiyear extension with Dallas in May 2024.

According to Stein's report on Tuesday, the Mavericks are expected to decline the Knicks' request.

Tim MacMahon cites recent move as key reason why Jason Kidd's "ears would perk up" if opportunity to coach the Knicks arises

One of the big reasons why Jason Kidd's name has popped up in talks surrounding the Knicks' vacancy is due to his ties to Jalen Brunson and Casey Smith.

Before Brunson and the Dallas parted ways, the guard played under Kidd for one season. Meanwhile, Smith, the former Mavericks athletic trainer, recently joined the Knicks as their VP of sports medicine. He was reportedly fired by Nico Harrison while out of town, attending to his dying mother.

According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Kidd and Smith were "extremely tight." Harrison's decision to part ways with Smith was something Kidd wasn't reportedly on board with.

On Thursday, MacMahon explained how Dallas' recent moves may lead to Kidd getting excited about New York having interest in hiring him.

“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," MacMahon said, via "The Hoop Collective" podcast.

“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.”

The big question now is how the Mavericks will handle the Knicks' request.

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About the author

Evan Bell

Evan Bell is a journalist specializing in the NBA and NHL at Sportskeeda, whose love for the game stems from a childhood spent watching the Chicago Bulls. He has been there through their highs and lows, from the Jordan era to the exciting Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah years.

Evan finds the 82-game season and the intensity of playoff basketball exhilarating, and he also revels in the offseason drama. Phil Jackson stands out as his favorite coach, whom he admires for his composed leadership and success in managing dynamic personalities like Dennis Rodman.

To deliver top-quality content, Evan fact-checks information while diligently keeping up with the action year-round.

When he's not writing, Evan follows tennis and Greek football, and also plays basketball and tennis.

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