The New York Knicks have been an embarrassment for a while, and this offseason is the perfect example. After making the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in a quarter century, they opted to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau after they were bounced by the Indiana Pacers in a competitive six-game series.
The Knicks were a couple of favorable bounces away from making the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, and they responded by firing the guy who led them there. However, that’s not all that unprecedented in the NBA; the only difference is New York didn’t have a plan in place to replace him.
The Knicks have gone around the league inquiring about the top head coaches in the league, and unsurprisingly, they’ve been blocked by every team from interviewing anybody. Shams Charania even reported yesterday that New York reached out to the Hawks regarding Quin Snyder but were immediately denied permission.
Another one: The New York Knicks have requested permission to speak with Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder, but were firmly denied, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 11, 2025
Snyder hasn’t had the greatest of results in his two-plus years as the head coach of the Hawks, but he hasn’t been dealt the easiest deck either when it comes to roster construction and injuries. Atlanta was projected to win 35 games this past season and eclipsed that number by five games, despite losing Jalen Johnson for the season and trading De’Andre Hunter away at the trade deadline.
The Hawks undoubtedly over-achieved, and Snyder’s hands were all over the development of Dyson Daniels — who won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award — and #1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher. But perhaps the player Snyder has impacted the most over the last two years is Trae Young, who really has taken his game to the next level as a playmaker, leading the league in assists this past season with 11.6 per game.
The two very clearly have developed a relationship built on trust, and Trae Young let it be known on social media yesterday that he doesn’t want Quin Snyder going anywhere.
Hell nahh🤣
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) June 12, 2025
Given the history between Young and the New York fans, this was a layup opportunity to poke fun at the Knicks, who now find themselves in a really awkward position.
However, it’s also a positive sign about his future in Atlanta. Young is entering the final year of his contract, and while it didn’t always look like he would re-sign with the Hawks, things seem to be trending in that direction, in large part because of his connection with Quin Snyder. Getting pen to paper on that extension is right at the top of Atlanta’s offseason checklist.
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Photo: Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire
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