Knicks eyeing two long-shot head-coaching candidates

Despite spearheading the franchise’s first set of back-to-back 50-win campaigns in 30 years, and coming just two games shy of an NBA Finals berth, Tom Thibodeau is out with the Knicks. 

In the immediate wake of the Knicks’ head-coaching change, it's being reported that they already have their eyes set on two well-established veteran NBA head coaches. According to NBA insider Marc Stein (h/t Bleacher Report's Scott Polacek), the Knicks have significant interest in both Jason Kidd and Ime Udoka. The only problem, however, is Kidd is already employed by the Mavericks, and Udoka is employed by the Rockets. 

While the Knicks would appear to have all the allure in the world — on paper at least — prying Kidd or Udoka away from Dallas or Houston is going to be an uphill battle, to say the least. The Knicks may be one of the most iconic franchises of all time and have a readymade title-contending roster, but the franchises that both Kidd and Udoka are leading, respectively, both have a ton going for them as well. 

The Mavericks have certainly gone through their fair share of turmoil and chaos over the last year, due in large part to the inexplicable Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis swap, and the ensuing rash of injuries, but recent lottery luck has them trending upward again. Kidd should have little to no interest in leaving the franchise where he experienced his most success as both a coach and a player. (He secured his sole championship as a member of the Mavericks back in 2011.) 

Even if Kidd were infatuated with New York's roster makeup — he does have a history with Knicks star Jalen Brunson — Stein notes the Mavericks aren't expected to approve a formal interview between the two. 

Much of the same can be said about Udoka’s situation in Houston. Just two years into his Rockets tenure, Udoka has already established Houston as a team to be reckoned with for years to come. With a plethora of young and dynamic talent such as Amen Thompson, Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., not too mention swirling rumors of a potential deal to acquire a player like Kevin Durant or Giannis Antetokounmpo, Udoka would be foolish to leave just when the Rockets are reaching their full ascension. According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the Rockets have "no interest in entertaining" the Knicks.

While the Knicks aren’t necessarily wrong in their thinking to target two relatively young, experienced coaches who have recently led teams to an NBA Finals appearance, hiring either Kidd or Udoka feels more like a fantasy than a reality. The Knicks would be better served shifting their focus toward a veteran NBA coach who's actually available. Look for the Knicks to turn their attention toward coaches like Mike Malone, Frank Vogel and Taylor Jenkins once they begin to come to grips with reality.