The New York Knicks are in the hunt for a head coach after parting ways with Tom Thibodeau and a name that has surfaced in the New York’s head coaching search: current Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd.
A source with knowledge of the situation tells ScoopB.com that the Knicks have expressed interest in Kidd as a potential candidate for the vacancy at Madison Square Garden.
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Kidd was previously on the Knicks’ radar in 2020, when he served as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers under Frank Vogel.
At the time, league sources indicated that Knicks owner James Dolan was intrigued by the idea of bringing Kidd aboard. However, LeBron James reportedly intervened, urging Kidd to remain in Los Angeles—a decision that paid off with a championship for the Lakers in the Orlando Bubble.
The Knicks eventually hired Tom Thibodeau, who led the team to this year’s Eastern Conference Finals—their first trip in 25 years.
Now, as the coaching carousel spins again, the question looms: Could a renewed pursuit of Kidd make sense for the Knicks this time around?
Some league sources remain skeptical.
“Highly doubt it,” one well-connected NBA figure told me. “Knicks need a coach with a coaching championship pedigree that’s won. Luka and Kyrie carried them to the NBA Finals. I don’t know what they’ll do next season.”
Another respected source emphasized that the Knicks aren’t just looking for someone with a résumé — they’re looking for presence.
“Knicks need a coach that has a lot of charisma. But that has the know-how of what it takes to be successful also. That person is Mike Malone.”
Two names I’ve heard currently being discussed inside league circles are Indiana Pacers assistant coach Lloyd Pierce and former Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone. Both are respected basketball minds, but bring very different profiles to the table.
Pierce, who previously served as the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks from 2018 to 2021. Pierce has earned a strong reputation for his player development chops and defensive philosophy — traits that align with the Knicks’ gritty DNA.
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During his tenure in Atlanta, Pierce played a key role in the early growth of star guard Trae Young and helped lay the foundation for the team’s later success. “He is the kind of guy you can build a culture around,” shared San Antonio Spurs President of Basketball Operations Gregg Popovich back in 2021.
Pierce has also held assistant coaching roles with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies and Philadelphia 76ers and is widely respected around the league for his leadership and communication skills.
Michael Malone
Michael Malone led the Denver Nuggets to the 2023 NBA title and brings a championship pedigree that some within the Knicks’ orbit see as essential for their next head coach.
But Malone’s potential fit with the Knicks goes deeper than just X’s and O’s — it’s personal.
A native of the Astoria neighborhood in Queens, Malone is the son of former NBA coach Brendan Malone, who once served on the New York Knicks’ coaching staff. His own basketball journey began at Bishop Hendricken High School in Rhode Island while his father coached at the University of Rhode Island. After Brendan joined the Knicks’ bench, Malone transferred to Seton Hall Prep in West Orange, New Jersey. He later spent a post-grad year at Worcester Academy before heading to Loyola University Maryland, where he was a steady presence as a point guard from 1989 to 1993. Malone played in 107 games — starting 39 — and left Loyola with a degree in history, along with 370 points, 279 assists, and 79 steals to his name.
Malone’s blend of accountability, modern offense and strong player relationships could be a seamless fit in New York, especially for a franchise with rising expectations and a fan base craving deep playoff runs. And given his roots in the city and a family legacy tied to the Garden, the move would be more than just business — it would be coming home.
Johnnie Bryant
Johnnie Bryant, who’s currently in the mix for the Phoenix Suns’ head coaching position, is no stranger to Madison Square Garden. He previously served as an associate coach with the Knicks from 2020 to 2024.
Now the associate head coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bryant recently wrapped up his 11th year in the NBA coaching ranks. Alongside head coach Kenny Atkinson, he played a key role in guiding the Cavs to a league-best 64-18 record in the East. Cleveland finished the season ranked No. 1 in offensive efficiency and No. 8 defensively.
At 39, Bryant’s reputation continues to rise. If the Suns don’t offer him the head job, league sources have suggested that he could emerge as a strong candidate for the Knicks’ open position.
As the Knicks front office evaluates their next move, expect the process to include candidates with championship credentials and New York sensibilities. With the Thibodeau era officially over, the search for the next leader is already underway.
The question now: who will get the call in the city that never sleeps?
