New York Knicks continue the search to replace Tom Thibodeau as head coach after their approach to find out about the availability of two big names in the NBA was rebuffed.
Thibodeau was fired by the Knicks last Tuesday, just three days after the team’s season came to an end with the loss to Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.
The 67-year-old had guided the Knicks to the playoffs in four of the five seasons as Head Coach, with the team making the Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years this season.
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In his place, Knicks approached Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves to enquire about Ime Udoka and Chris Finch respectively, according to ESPN, with both teams turning down the request to speak to them.
47-year-old Udoka has taken the Rockets from bottom of the league to playoff material in his two years in Houston, while 55-year-old Finch has led the Wolves to back-to-back Western Conference Finals and four straight post-season appearances in his five years there.
The Knicks are also eyeing Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, according to The Athletic and ESPN. However, the Mavericks expect their 52-year-old head coach to remain with them even though the Knicks have yet to enquire about him.