"Leon Rose is hilarious" - NBA fans react to Dallas Mavericks snubbing Knicks for Jason Kidd interview after similar rejection from Rockets
The New York Knicks are in the market for a new head coach after firing Tom Thibodeau days after being eliminated from the Eastern Conference finals. As their search continues, New York has asked to speak with a number of head coaches about their availability. They have been denied access to Chris Finch, Ime Udoka and now Jason Kidd.
Fans reacted to the news on social media, making fun of the Knicks' strategy. New York and Kidd had mutual interest, according to the New York Post.
Kidd was one of the leading candidates after Thibodeau was let go. His connection with All-NBA point guard Jalen Brunson goes back to their time on the Dallas Mavericks. After poor showings with the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, Kidd has settled into his spot with the Mavericks. With Cooper Flagg likely on the way to Dallas, the team is not interested in losing their coach.
ESPN's Shams Charania confirmed the rejection on Wednesday in an X post, adding Kidd's name to a growing list of coaches New York is not allowed to pursue. So far, the Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves have all turned New York away, leaving them without a head coach as free agency looms.
The New York Knicks requested permission Wednesday morning to speak to Mavericks coach Jason Kidd – and Dallas gave a firm rejection, sources tell ESPN. Knicks have been denied now on Kidd, Minnesota's Chris Finch and Houston's Ime Udoka.
Fans' reactions on social media varied, but most fans threw shade at the Knicks' organization. One fan took things a step further, calling out team president Leon Rose.
Leon rose is a hilarious individual.
Knicks strategy is reaching out to teams current head coaches😭🤣
lol Knicks fired Thibs without any concrete idea of who they wanted to replace him
Other fans suggested who the next head coaching hire should be.
They better reach out to Malone.
They need to end this charade and just hire someone available like Johnnie Bryant or Taylor Jenkins already
Knicks firing Thibo was a mistake. Maybe Mike Brown would be a good fit ???
Who are the best coaches available to join the New York Knicks?
The Knicks have been denied access to most of the head coaches who could have been interested in joining the team. However, there are a few coaches who were fired during the season that New York could contact. Mike Brown, Taylor Jenkins and Michael Malone were all fired during the regular season and are looking for their next job in the NBA.
All three veteran coaches bring playoff experience, having led their teams to the Western Conference playoffs multiple times. However, they are not the favorite to land the position. Johnnie Bryant, an assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers, has emerged as the favorite to become New York's next head coach.
Regardless of who New York ends up hiring, both fans and team management want the vacancy filled quickly. The NBA draft is two weeks away, and the offseason is expected to be a wild one. After falling short of the NBA Finals, the Knicks are expected to be active as they pursue players to help them take advantage of a wide-open Eastern Conference.