The Knicks’ head coaching search has continued as they attempted to interview two sitting head coaches but were denied. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Knicks put in official requests to interview the Timberwolves’ Chris Finch and the Rockets’ Ime Udoka, though both teams turned down New York.
The Knicks and Udoka popped up last week, though it was quickly shot down from the Rockets’ side. Udoka, the former Celtics coach, just wrapped up his second season in Houston, guiding them to the No. 2 seed in the West. While the Rockets lost in seven games to the Warriors in the first round, it’s clear Udoka’s building something in Houston.
It’s also no surprise Minnesota turned down the request as Finch has led the Wolves to the West Finals in the past two seasons. Finch does have the connection with Karl-Anthony Towns, who he coached with the Wolves. Regardless, Minnesota is staying put with its head coach as it also enters a big offseason after some deep playoff runs.
New York fired Tom Thibodeau despite the franchise’s best playoff run in 25 years. The Knicks made a surprise East Finals appearance, which included upsetting the defending champion Celtics in six games in the second round. Despite that, the success wasn’t enough for Thibodeau to keep his job after the Knicks fell to the Pacers.
Charania reports, though, that the Knicks could request permission to interview other sitting head coaches. It appears that Mavericks coach Jason Kidd could be one example of that as there’s been “mutual intrigue” between the two sides. Kidd could be a name to watch in this coaching search, though he’s still under contract with Dallas.
The Knicks job is an interesting opening considering the outside pressures that come with it. The roster is in win-now mode after multiple trades to build up the core. But as former Celtics coach Rick Pitino pointed out, the expectation is going to be title-or-bust. So that adds another element to the New York search.