Report: Knicks nearly obtained top coach candidate before Mike Brown hiring

Andrei de Guzman

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Report: Knicks nearly obtained top coach candidate before Mike Brown hiring image

The New York Knicks notably pursued Jason Kidd to be the team's new head coach this past offseason.

This desire was met with a major rejection, as the Dallas Mavericks didn't give the Knicks permission to talk to Kidd, ultimately signing him to a contract extension this past month.

If only Kidd had been allowed to choose, he might have entertained the idea of becoming New York's next play-caller, based on a recent piece from The Athletic.

“Last summer, Kidd contemplated leaving the Mavericks to go coach the New York Knicks,” the article stated. “There was mutual interest between the two sides, league sources said, but the Mavericks refused to let Kidd leave and rewarded him with an extension. That gave Kidd power in any disagreement with his front office. He had more years on his contract than any of them.”

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After making it to the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks decided to dismiss Tom Thibodeau. The franchise ultimately inked Mike Brown to be their next head coach.

Knicks fans can only wonder what might have been if Kidd had become New York's top tactician. He has strong familiarity with Jalen Brunson, whom he mentored in his first season as Dallas’ head coach back in 2021-22, and he might have played a key role in the team's rumored interest in pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Right now, the Knicks are in good hands with Brown. After a rocky start to the season, New York is now rolling with a five-game win streak, entering Wednesday's bout against the Orlando Magic with a 7-3 record.

As for Kidd, he has to settle on the ongoing drama around Dallas following general manager Nico Harrison's termination.

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