The coaching carousel in the NBA is spinning fast this offseason, and the New York Knicks’ head coaching vacancy remains one of the hottest topics around. Despite the Knicks’ attempts to lure Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, the Mavericks have firmly put the brakes on any potential move, confirming that Kidd will be on their bench for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Yet, the intrigue surrounding Kidd’s future hasn’t entirely faded, as speculation about his dream job in New York continues to swirl.
On June 24, 2025, NBA insider Scoop B. Robinson revealed on “The Zach Gelb Show” that Kidd views the Knicks’ opening as his “dream job” and might even “force his way out” of Dallas to land it. Robinson explained, “From what I understand, from folks I have spoken to on Kidd’s side, in order to get out of Dallas, he’d have to force his way out. We’ve seen that before as well when he went from the Nets to Milwaukee. It would have to be a trade, and it would have to be beneficial to the Dallas Mavericks.” He added, “It is a dream job that Jason Kidd wants. But he’s got to find his way to New York. He wants that job.”
However, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison was quick to shut down the rumors following the 2025 NBA Draft, where Dallas selected Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick. Speaking to reporters, Harrison remarked, “Are there rumors? I thought I shut those down.” He reiterated that Kidd remains the Mavericks’ head coach, signaling no imminent coaching change despite the Knicks’ interest.
Cooper Flagg himself, fresh off being the top pick, weighed in on his relationship with Kidd. “I haven’t had those conversations yet at all,” Flagg said, addressing the Knicks’ pursuit of Kidd. “But I think talking with Coach Kidd, my workout and even after I got picked, I was on the phone with him for a minute. I think he’s just excited. He has a good vision for me and what I can do and how I can impact the game. So I’m excited to just talk to him more.”
Kidd’s coaching tenure with the Mavericks has been noteworthy. He just wrapped up his fourth season at the helm, compiling a 179-149 record. He notably led Dallas to the NBA Finals in 2024 when Luka Dončić was still part of the roster. Now, with Flagg entering the scene as a highly touted rookie, Kidd’s role is pivotal in shaping the franchise’s future. Flagg, the consensus National Player of the Year, averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds at Duke last season, guiding them to the Final Four. He expressed his determination ahead of his introductory press conference with Kidd and Harrison, saying, “I’m going to try my best. I know there’s probably going to be some high expectations, but I’m going to try to impact the game as much as I can. Do whatever I can, whatever I need to do, whatever role I’m given. I’m going to try to do that to the best of my ability.”
While Kidd’s status with Dallas seems secure for now, the Mavericks’ coaching staff is experiencing some changes. Lead assistant Sean Sweeney is departing for San Antonio, signaling some shifts behind the scenes. Meanwhile, the Mavericks’ front office reportedly plans to address Kidd’s contract later in the offseason, suggesting ongoing negotiations that might influence the team’s stability.
On the Knicks’ side, the coaching search is far from over. Following the surprising dismissal of Tom Thibodeau—who had led the team to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years—the Knicks have been actively interviewing candidates to fill the vacancy. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Knicks recently received permission to interview New Orleans Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego, making him the fourth candidate in the mix alongside former Sacramento Kings head coaches Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins, and Minnesota Timberwolves lead assistant Micah Nori.
James Borrego, 47, brings a solid resume to the table. He was head coach of the Charlotte Hornets from 2018 to 2022, leading them to the play-in tournament twice and compiling a 138-163 overall record before being fired after the 2021-22 season. He joined the Pelicans a year later and is known for his offensive creativity and analytics-driven approach. Borrego has previously been a finalist for head coaching jobs with the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Charlotte Hornets, making him a respected figure among coaching circles.
The Athletic’s James Edwards noted on June 23, 2025, that Taylor Jenkins and Mike Brown appear to be the front-runners for the Knicks’ coaching gig. Jenkins and Brown, both recently fired from their respective head coaching roles, bring experience and familiarity with rebuilding teams. Meanwhile, Nori, who has been an assistant with Minnesota since 2021 under coach Chris Finch, offers a fresh perspective as a younger assistant coach.
The Knicks’ front office faces challenges beyond just finding the right coach. They did not have a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, having traded it away last year in the Mikal Bridges deal. Their second-round pick, acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder, sits at No. 50, but their own second-round pick was forfeited due to tampering violations related to Jalen Brunson’s 2023 free agency signing. This limits their draft flexibility, making roster building a more complex puzzle.
Building depth is a key priority for the Knicks next season. The organization aims for a 10-man rotation, and currently, they have 11 players under contract, not counting young prospects like Kevin McCullar Jr. and James Nnaji, both second-round picks with potential but yet unproven at the NBA level. The Knicks also have a $5.7 million midlevel exception to use in free agency, alongside the ability to sign minimum contracts to fill roster spots.
Despite the Knicks’ persistent efforts to attract Kidd, the Mavericks’ firm stance and Kidd’s own contract negotiations suggest that the coaching drama is far from resolved but currently favors stability in Dallas. Kidd’s desire for the Knicks job remains clear, but the path to New York is complicated, requiring either a trade or a mutual agreement that benefits Dallas.
As the offseason progresses, all eyes will be on the Knicks’ coaching interviews and the Mavericks’ contract talks with Kidd. Meanwhile, Cooper Flagg’s arrival in Dallas signals a new chapter for the Mavericks, one that Kidd will undoubtedly influence. The NBA coaching landscape remains dynamic, with the Knicks’ search and Kidd’s future at the center of attention.
