Mar 21, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd looks on during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Mavericks finally put an end to Jason Kidd-Knicks rumors

Originally posted on Dallas Mavericks on SI
By Austin Veazey | Last updated Jun 11, 2025 10:51 AM ET

The New York Knicks are swinging for the fences and missing the ball entirely. They dismissed Tom Thibodeau after a run to the Eastern Conference Finals but didn't have a clear plan in place. And a lot of their top options are off the board already.

New York submitted official requests to interview Ime Udoka from the Houston Rockets and Chris Finch from the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night, both of which were quickly denied. And now, another option is off the board.

The Knicks submitted their official request to interview Jason Kidd from the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, a request that was also quickly denied, per Shams Charania of ESPN. This was a sage that lasted much longer than it needed to with people like Brian Windhorst reporting there was some mutual intrigue.

Dallas held all of the cards, though. They just signed Kidd to an extension last year after the run to the NBA Finals, and Kidd has mentioned multiple times he's excited about the opportunity to bring Cooper Flagg in from the draft. If anything, these rumors were a way for Kidd to try and get more money on his contract.

The New York Knicks requested permission Wednesday morning to speak to Mavericks coach Jason Kidd – and Dallas gave a firm rejection, sources tell ESPN. Knicks have been denied now on Kidd, Minnesota's Chris Finch and Houston's Ime Udoka.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 11, 2025

There were valid reasons why Kidd would've been interested in the job, though. He ended his playing career as a Knick, spurning the Mavs to do so, he coached Jalen Brunson in Dallas, and he is very familiar with Casey Smith, the vice president of sports medicine for the Knicks. He also wasn't pleased with how the team handled the Luka Doncic trade and all of the media pressure that was forced upon him, but he loves Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. Dallas was always where he was going to be.

This article first appeared on Dallas Mavericks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: