The Dallas Mavericks have rejected a formal request from the New York Knicks to speak with head coach Jason Kidd, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
New York’s front office made the approach Wednesday morning as part of its ongoing search for a new head coach after parting ways with Tom Thibodeau. The move was met with what Charania described as a “firm rejection.”
Kidd, who led the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals, remains under contract in Dallas. League sources suggest the Mavericks have no interest in allowing external negotiations for their coach.
According to Marc Stein, any legitimate effort by the Knicks to acquire Kidd would require surrendering future draft assets.
The Knicks are casting a wide net after back-to-back 50-win seasons under Thibodeau, culminating in a 51–31 record and a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2024-25. Despite that success, the franchise opted to make a coaching change with a stated focus on reaching championship contention.
Kidd’s familiarity with the New York market, including his stints as a player for the Knicks and Nets and as head coach in Brooklyn, made him an appealing option.
New York has already encountered multiple denials in its coaching search. Attempts to speak with Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch and Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka were also declined, per Charania.
Kidd steered Dallas to a 39–43 record and a tenth-place finish in the West this season, a drop-off after last year’s Finals run.
