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Mavericks Reportedly Have Jason Kidd Decision Amid Knicks News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kade Kimble | Last updated Jun 6, 2025 7:31 PM ET

After the New York Knicks fired head coach Tom Thibodeau, pressure was on to find a great hire this offseason.

Thibodeau just led the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years. He's helped build a winning culture in New York throughout his five-year tenure.

The former Coach of the Year was still sacked, however, because the club wants someone who they believe can take them to the promised land.

How many coaches are better-equipped to lead the Knicks beyond the Eastern Conference Finals?

The early shortlist, given recent reports, has three potential candidates for the role:

Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd
Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka
Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch

Three active head coaches, two with NBA Finals experience and one with two straight Western Conference Finals appearances.

The Knicks are clearly aiming for experience. The first reported interest was in Kidd, however, as the Mavericks head coach did a remarkable job with Dallas -- before they shockingly traded Luka Doncic.

The Mavericks have Kidd under contract for at least two more years, however, so they have to allow the head coach to interview with the Knicks.

According to ScoopB, the club is going to let Kidd make his own decision. Whether the former NBA guard wants to throw his hat in the ring or not is entirely up to him.

"Knicks reached out to the Mavs 2 days ago for permission to interview Jason Kidd," ScoopB reported. "The answer: it’s up to Kidd to decide if he wants to interview for the Knicks position."

Knicks reached out to the Mavs 2 days ago for permission to interview Jason Kidd, per league sources.

The answer: it’s up to Kidd to decide if he wants to interview for the Knicks position.

Sources tell me: Kidd has been pondering for a couple of days whether he’d like to… https://t.co/oThlKPWrki pic.twitter.com/tfX3FXUB7V
— Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) June 6, 2025

Jalen Brunson gave Thibodeau his stamp of approval. New York needs to factor that in, especially as the roster could see many changes this offseason.

Brunson played for Kidd in Dallas. There is a connection there. The possibility of reuniting Kidd with Giannis Antetokounmpo -- while far-fetched -- could pull Kidd closer to the Big Apple.

There's a lot to think about for Kidd, and the Mavericks, reportedly, are going to let him decide. That is their decision.

For the Knicks, landing Kidd could be a prime example of an upgrade from Thibodeau, though he'd need to deliver results under the bright lights in New York City.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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