Apr 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd looks on during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

When the New York Knicks decided to move on from Tom Thibodeau, it was not immediately clear who would replace him. One reported option is Jason Kidd.

There is one significant problem, though, and it is that Kidd is currently employed by the Dallas Mavericks. He helped the Mavericks win the Western Conference and appear in the NBA Finals just last season.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Knicks plan to request permission to interview Kidd about their coaching vacancy.

That isn't the only actively employed NBA head coach that the Knicks reportedly covet. The organization also has its eyes on Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka and Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch, per SNY's Ian Begley.

But, as noted by Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the Rockets are not expected to grant permission to the Knicks they formally request an interview.

While there is no reporting on this yet, common sense suggests that Minnesota is likely to have a similar approach with Finch after he led them to back-to-back appearances in the Western Conference Finals.

Kidd, however, is in an entirely different situation right now considering that Kidd was hired, in many ways, to coach Luka Dončić. Meanwhile, according to Tim Cato, Kidd "resented" the front office for trading Dončić.

So perhaps there is room for Kidd to leave Dallas after all, especially as 18-year-old forward Cooper Flagg looks to become the face of the franchise.

Here is more from Robby Kalland (via CBS Sports):

"Given the Mavs are headed in a new direction suddenly, they might be willing to move on from Kidd. The previous Mavs regime hired Kidd specifically with coaching Luka Dončić in mind, but Dončić is now gone, a new leadership group is in charge and with the Mavs landing the No. 1 pick (and thus, Cooper Flagg) in the draft lottery, the three-year title window they proposed when they traded for Anthony Davis has now widened considerably.

Kidd probably sees the Knicks as being closer to a title than Dallas, especially with Kyrie Irving missing much of next season, and the Mavs might be willing to let him go to the East."

The Knicks would effectively need to trade for Kidd in order to poach him from the Mavericks, but similar situations have happened before.

In fact, Kidd was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Brooklyn Nets when he became their head coach in 2014.

Kidd played his final professional NBA season for the Knicks during 2012-13 campaign. He also coached Knicks star Jalen Brunson when the guard played for the Mavericks.

As of right now, the Mavericks have not even given permission for Kidd to interview with the Knicks.

But if they do and New York's front office likes what they see from him, Kidd may have to choose between coaching New York's roster versus a young rising star in Cooper Flagg.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Jason Kidd may have to choose between the Knicks and Cooper Flagg

Reporting by Bryan Kalbrosky, For The Win / For The Win

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