Knicks may be striking out again with dream coach

Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd was one of two current NBA coaches that the Knicks were interested in, along with Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets. But recent events cast doubt on Kidd's true interest in a move to the Big Apple, if it ever existed.

First, the Mavericks hired former Sacramento Kings assistant coach Jay Triano Tuesday, with Dallas GM Nico Harrison reportedly promising Triano that Kidd would still be the team's head coach. The Mavericks have been holding workouts for draft prospects this week, and Kidd has been at the practice facility.

Presumptive No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg plans to visit the Mavericks June 17, but aside from the Knicks' reported interest in Kidd, there have been no signs anyone but the Mavs coach of four years will be there to meet him. Marc Stein reported that Kidd and his family are "very settled" in Dallas and the Mavericks coach is "particularly close" with Mavs stars Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis.

But perhaps the biggest factor is that the Mavericks don't have to even grant permission for Kidd talk to the Knicks. Kidd is under contract through the 2026-27 season. There's precedence for NBA teams to trade for a coach under contract — the Milwaukee Bucks gave the Brooklyn Nets two second-round picks to get Kidd — but these teams seem very far from that point.

There should be a resolution soon. With Flagg's visit looming, the Mavericks will want to resolve any uncertainty before June 17. Expect the Mavericks to let it be known that Kidd isn't going anywhere before the end of the week. Unless both sides are playing things extremely close to the vest, it looks like the Knicks will have to look elsewhere to find their next head coach.