The Knicks will report to hunt down Jason Kidd and reunite with Jalen Brunson after firing head coach Tom Thibodeau.
Tom Thibodeau’s time in New York ended shortly after the Knicks exited the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite the deep playoffs – they were at the deepest point of twenty years – Thibodeau was shown the door, so the Knicks’ coach carousel started turning again. Now their eyes fell on the familiar face of one of their brightest stars.
Jalen Brunson opened the cornerstone of a franchise under Thibodeau, but his ascent began with Jason Kidd in Dallas. That history is layered with trust and growth, making Kidd a natural goal. The Knicks reportedly formally asked the Mavericks to allow interviews with Kidd. This interest is called “serious”, a franchise that hopes to pair its star with the coach who initially believed in him.
While the decision to separate from Thibodeau shocked many in the league, the potential pivot with Kidd was rooted in connections, chemistry and hopes to reignite past success in Madison Square Garden.
Brunson-Kidd Bond
Jalen Brunson emerges from the shadow of Dallas in the 2021-22 season – Jason Kidd is the one who handed him the key. Starting 61 games that year, Brunson scored an average of 16 points and nearly 5 assists, becoming a stable existence and rising star. Kidd’s belief in him is not only strategic, but also personal.
New York Knicks are expected to have the right to allow interviews with Jason Kidd @thesteinline
“The New York Knicks are expected to formally request permission to speak with Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks, who talks about the coaching vacancies in the coming days.” pic.twitter.com/ABS439P0RJ
– nbacentral (@thedunkcentral) June 6, 2025
This trust carries weight. When Brunson reached a $104 million deal with The Knicks in 2022, he publicly praised Kidd’s growth. Brunson has become one of the league’s most reliable defenders in the season since, but the roots of this leap are still tied to Kidd’s time.
Now, the Knicks may be trying to reignite this synergy. Reunion is not only symbolic, but can be strategic. Kidd knew Brunson’s strengths, understood his leadership style, and laid the foundation for his players today. For teams with a championship aspiration, consistency between coaches and stars can be a turning point.
Will Dallas let him go?
Although the Knicks’ interest in Kidd is obvious, this power lies in the Dallas Mavericks. Kidd signed an extension in May 2024 and although the team had just completed a disappointing 39-43 season, there were some optimistic reasons in Dallas. The Mavericks finished the first pick in the upcoming draft and are expected to pick Duke Phenom Cooper Flagg, a player who can redefine the next era.
Nevertheless, Luka Dončić left Dallas through mid-season trade. Kidd coached the Mavericks to the NBA Finals a year ago, but is still respected within the organization. His .516 career has won the percentage of victory and the ability to adapt to different rosters, speaking to coaches who live long and balance.
The Mavericks may deny New York’s request – which is reportedly what the Rockets did when the Knicks asked Ime Udoka. If Dallas follows the example, the Knicks will have to pivot. But if they allow Kidd to talk to New York, they might risk watching him walk to the franchise, and he ends his Hall of Fame career-a full moment waiting for writing.
The whole circle in the garden?
Jason Kidd had worn the Knicks before – in 2012, during his game days. Now, over a decade later, he may have the opportunity to lead the franchise from the bench. This will be a destination in meaning and link the past with the present.
One thing is clear…
Chris Finch
Jason Kidd
Ime UdokaThe Knicks want an experienced coach.
— Knicksny (@knicksnation) June 6, 2025
Jalen Brunson is caught in the heart of the team and hungry for stability and success, and Kidd’s idea of taking up the scene at Madison Square Garden is exciting. He is not only the name on the shortlist. He is a name with legacy, connection and certificate that can support it.
The next chapter of New York Basketball is now writing – somewhere in Dallas, its future author may hold a pen, waiting to ask whether he will be asked to sign.
