The Knicks’ first choice for their next head coach is the landing of Tom Thibodeau, and the two sides have already discussed the parameters of the contract, according to a source. However, an agreement has not been reached, and if it doesn’t work, it could open the door for Jason Kidd.
Thibodeau was considered the favorite for the job, but as The Post recently reported, Kidd gave “a great interview” in his second talk that captivated the Knicks. The Post reported that it was considered the main long-term threat.
A source still gave Thibodeau a “65 percent” margin to get the job.
An NBA source who spoke to Kidd on Thursday night told The Post Kidd, now an assistant to the Lakers inside the Orlando bubble, that he really wants the Knicks’ job.
A report on Friday indicated that Thibodeau’s contractual talks may have come to a standstill during this economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is unclear if this is a negotiating tactic. David Fizdale landed a four-year, fully guaranteed $ 22 million contract to which owner James Dolan is still committed.
Dolan has been hit by the pandemic due to all the empty spots he has beyond the Garden. Reports on Thursday indicated that the job had not been formally offered to any candidate. A source said Friday that a decision will not be made until next week.
The Post reported earlier this week that Thibodeau, while close to Leon Rose, is not as close to new senior vice president William Wesley as in previous years. Wesley can have as much influence, if not more, than Rose.
“In the past few years they haven’t really had much of a connection,” said an NBA source.
Meanwhile, the former Bulls and Timberwolves coach Thibodeau is known to be intrigued by the Rockets’ work if it opens after Houston is eliminated, and could have received a guarantee there. Minnesota still pays Thibodeau next season.
Submit your Knicks questions here to be answered in an upcoming mail bag
Rockets GM Daryl Morey is considered a big fan of Thibodeau and Thibodeau attended Morey’s Sloan Analytics Conference last year. Mike D’Antoni is an imminent free agent.
Kidd, who was fired by the Bucks in January 2018 with a 23-22 record, is close to Giannis Antetokounmpo and is seen by some in the organization as a possible top recruiter for free agents. ESPN’s Jalen Rose endorsed Kidd’s nomination last week.
“LeBron loves Kidd,” a team executive told The Post. “But Giannis swears by him.”
Kidd never managed to get the Bucks out of the first round despite taking them to the playoffs twice, and he never won more than 42 games as the Milwaukee head coach. But he has made the playoffs every season as a head coach, including his only season with Brooklyn.
But his game was messy with the Nets when he sought a failed power play.
Kidd’s last season as a player came when the Knicks were 54-28 in 2012-13 and the bottom fell in terms of team leadership once he retired to coach the Nets.
“He has a knack for developing young people, giving them confidence,” an NBA source told The Post recently. “He also knows how to win with vets and understands the pressure of the big markets. And it has fixed teams: nets, Knicks Milwaukee.
.
