Reports: Knicks Denied Permission To Speak With Hawks’ Quin Snyder, ‘In No Rush’ To Make Hire

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the New York Knicks have been denied permission to speak with Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder.

The Knicks need a new head coach after firing Tom Thibodeau. They have been denied permission to speak with Snyder, Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka and Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch. 

New York fired Thibodeau despite reaching the conference finals this year for the first time since 2000. The Indiana Pacers beat the Knicks in six games. 

According to Ian Begley of SNY, the Knicks are “in no rush to make a hire.”

Thibodeau, who has coached the Chicago Bulls and Timberwolves, was hired by the Knicks in 2020. He went 226-174 in the regular season and 24-23 in the postseason and won the 2021 Coach of the Year Award. 

A two-time Coach of the Year, Thibodeau took out a full-page ad in The New York Times to thank the Knicks franchise and their fans. 

“To the best city in the world with the best fans in the world: Thank you. When I was hired in 2020, I said this was my dream job. I am grateful that dream became a reality. Thank you to our players and coaching staff who gave everything they had, and to everyone who makes this franchise special.

“I am proud of everything we accomplished together, including four playoff appearances and this year’s run to the Eastern Conference finals-our first in 25 years. And to the fans, thank you for believing in me and embracing me from day one. Watching you support our team, and seeing the Garden ignite with that incomparable Knicks energy, is something I will never forget. With gratitude and respect, Tom Thibodeau.”