The Knicks are still on the lookout for their next head coach now that Jason Kidd is off the table.
Despite buzz that Jason Kidd could be lured away from Dallas, Mavericks GM Nico Harrison made it clear that’s not happening.
“Are there rumors still out there about J-Kidd?” Harrison said. “I thought I shut them down. Yes, he will be the coach next year.”
That shuts the door on any speculation about Kidd secretly eyeing the New York job, even after the Mavs landed number one overall pick Cooper Flagg in this week’s NBA Draft.
Meanwhile, former Hornets head coach and current Pelicans assistant James Borrego is the next candidate lined up for an interview in New York this weekend. According to The Athletic’s James Edwards III, Borrego is firmly in the mix and now viewed as the favorite.
Borrego brings a contrasting approach to the man he might replace. Known for his analytics-driven offensive mindset, he would be a shift from the hard-nosed defensive style of Tom Thibodeau. During his time with Charlotte, Borrego led the team to gradual improvements, including a 43-win campaign in his final season.
Although his record with the Hornets was 138-163 across four seasons, many around the league feel he overperformed with a young, rebuilding roster. Adding to the intrigue, Borrego is a CAA client, the same agency Knicks president Leon Rose once worked for.
The Knicks have also interviewed Mike Brown, Taylor Jenkins, and Timberwolves assistant Mikah Nori. But as of now, there’s still no frontrunner.
Thibodeau’s departure came after leading the team to the playoffs four times in five years, the same number of appearances New York had in the 20 years prior. That included the franchise’s first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in a quarter century. Still, some within the locker room and front office believed the team had hit a ceiling under Thibodeau’s leadership.
With free agency just three days away, the Knicks are still without a coach, and no obvious successor in place.
