The New York Knicks find themselves at a crossroads in their coaching search, facing unexpected hurdles as they strive to build on the momentum generated under former head coach Tom Thibodeau. Since parting ways with Thibodeau on June 3, 2025, the Knicks have been actively seeking a proven leader who can elevate the franchise beyond its recent successes and ultimately bring an NBA championship back to New York for the first time since 1973.
Thibodeau’s tenure with the Knicks was marked by a remarkable turnaround for a team that had languished through years of mediocrity. After taking the helm in 2020, he quickly transformed the Knicks into a playoff contender, guiding them to back-to-back 50-win seasons in 2023-24 and 2024-25. His leadership culminated in the franchise’s first Eastern Conference finals appearance since 2000, a milestone that reignited hope among the fanbase. Despite this progress, the Knicks’ front office made the surprising decision to move on, citing a need for a fresh direction.
“We feel this is best for our organization moving forward,” Knicks President Leon Rose stated following the firing, while also expressing gratitude for Thibodeau’s contributions. The decision stunned many, given the team’s upward trajectory and the fact that Thibodeau had earned his second NBA Coach of the Year award during his debut season with New York in 2020-21. Over five seasons, Thibodeau compiled a 578-420 career head coaching record, including stops with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves, though an NBA championship as a head coach has eluded him.
Since his extension in 2024, the Knicks still owe Thibodeau at least $30 million, underscoring the financial commitment they made to him and the weight of their decision to part ways. Now, the challenge lies in finding a successor who can meet or exceed his accomplishments and lead the Knicks deeper into the playoffs.
The search, however, has proven difficult. The Knicks have encountered resistance from several NBA teams reluctant to allow their head coaches to interview for the vacancy. According to multiple reports, including those from ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Knicks were denied permission to speak with Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch, Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder, and Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan.
Jason Kidd, a Hall of Famer who spent the final year of his playing career with the Knicks, was initially considered a strong candidate. Kidd’s coaching resume includes leading the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals and a solid 179-149 record over four seasons in Dallas. However, the potential pairing fizzled amid speculation that Kidd might have been leveraging New York’s interest to secure a long-term deal with the Mavericks. The Mavericks ultimately declined to grant the Knicks permission to interview him.
Quin Snyder, currently coaching the Atlanta Hawks, is widely regarded as one of the NBA’s premier offensive minds. Snyder’s coaching career includes a successful stint with the Utah Jazz from 2014-15 through 2021-22, where he amassed a 372-264 record and helped the team become a consistent playoff contender. Since joining the Hawks midway through the 2022-23 season, he has posted an 86-99 record. Despite his credentials, the Hawks have also blocked the Knicks from interviewing him.
Billy Donovan, who played briefly for the Knicks during the 1987-88 season, has a storied coaching background that includes back-to-back NCAA championships with Florida in 2006 and 2007. In the NBA, Donovan has coached the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls, compiling a mixed record but earning respect for his coaching acumen and communication skills. The Bulls, valuing Donovan highly, have similarly refused to allow the Knicks to interview him.
Other notable candidates the Knicks sought to interview include Chris Finch and Ime Udoka. Finch has led the Timberwolves to consecutive Western Conference Finals appearances, boasting a 209-160 record, while Udoka, who played for the Knicks in 2005-06, led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals in 2021-22 before taking over as Houston Rockets head coach. Both teams declined the Knicks’ requests.
With these denials, the Knicks’ coaching search has hit significant roadblocks, forcing the organization to reconsider its options. Potential alternatives include former head coaches such as Michael Malone, Mike Budenholzer, and Jeff Van Gundy. Malone, recently fired by the Denver Nuggets despite winning the franchise’s first-ever NBA championship in 2023, is a compelling option. Budenholzer, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year and 2021 champion with the Milwaukee Bucks, has experienced mixed results with the Phoenix Suns. Van Gundy, the last Knicks coach to lead the team to the NBA Finals, currently serves as a lead assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers and has not held a head coaching role since 2007.
Additional names reported by The New York Post and The Athletic include Luke Walton, Mike Brown, Taylor Jenkins, Darvin Ham, and James Borrego. Walton and Brown have head coaching experience with the Lakers, Kings, and Pistons, while Jenkins, Ham, and Borrego have led the Grizzlies, Lakers, and Hornets respectively.
The Knicks’ roster remains competitive, featuring stars like Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby. The front office has invested heavily in win-now trades, signaling that the next head coach will be expected to maintain the team’s upward trajectory and contend immediately.
As the Knicks navigate these coaching challenges, the pressure mounts to find a leader capable of harnessing the team’s potential and delivering on the championship aspirations that have eluded New York for over five decades. With the coaching carousel spinning and key candidates off the board, the Knicks’ next move will be critical in shaping the franchise’s future.
