Why Haven’t the Knicks Hired Anyone Since Firing Thibodeau?
When the New York Knicks abruptly parted ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau, fresh off leading the franchise to its first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in over two decades, it sent shockwaves through the NBA. Given the speed and finality of the decision, the widespread assumption was simple: the Knicks had a clear replacement in mind. There was an expectation of an immediate pivot to a new vision and leadership style. Fans and analysts alike believed the front office had a succession plan ready to execute. Instead, what has followed is confusion, silence, and a growing sense of organizational disarray.
One would reasonably expect that moving on from the coach who re-established the Knicks as a consistent playoff contender would involve calculated planning. The man who helped restore pride to Madison Square Garden surely deserved at least the assurance that his exit was part of a larger vision. However, the Knicks’ post-firing actions suggest something entirely different. Their coaching search has been marked by what can only be described as a series of clumsy and desperate attempts to land high-profile names. Rather than a smooth transition, the franchise now appears to be improvising with no clear path forward.
According to multiple reports, the Knicks aggressively pursued five current NBA head coaches who are under contract: Jason Kidd, Ime Udoka, Chris Finch, Quin Snyder, and Billy Donovan. Each of these attempts was immediately rejected by their respective teams. The dismissals were not polite denials either; sources have suggested that some conversations ended abruptly and even “profanely,” according to insiders. The refusal wasn’t just about protecting assets; it reflected a complete lack of respect for New York’s approach. For a franchise with the market power and financial leverage of the Knicks, being denied so swiftly by so many teams is deeply concerning.
The Dallas Mavericks refused to entertain any conversation regarding Jason Kidd, despite reports of mutual interest between him and the Knicks. Houston quickly shut the door on Ime Udoka. Minnesota gave no opening for discussions about Chris Finch, and both Chicago and Atlanta dismissed inquiries about Billy Donovan and Quin Snyder without hesitation. These responses were not only swift but cold, indicating that the Knicks may have underestimated how they’re viewed across the league. Instead of appearing as an elite destination, the franchise came off as unprepared and disconnected from reality.
With top options off the table, the Knicks shifted focus to two available candidates: Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins. Brown, recently dismissed by Sacramento, had led the Kings to a playoff breakthrough and earned Coach of the Year honors just one season ago. Jenkins, formerly with Memphis, was let go after a disappointing campaign, though his earlier success remains noteworthy. Both men have been scheduled for interviews and bring credibility to the process. Still, it’s clear neither was part of the Knicks’ original vision, and their consideration now feels like a backup plan hastily assembled under pressure.
This entire saga paints a troubling picture for the Knicks. In removing Thibodeau so swiftly, the front office sent a message that his methods had reached their limit and that a new direction was urgently needed. Yet their inability to execute the next step with purpose or clarity suggests they made a bold move without a bold strategy. Charles Barkley didn’t mince words, labeling the front office “the stupidest people in the world” for firing Thibodeau without a plan in place. That sentiment, once seen as hyperbolic, now resonates with a frustrated fan base wondering what the long-term vision really is.
For a moment that should have marked the start of a new era in coaching, the Knicks find themselves stalled. This wasn’t supposed to be another confusing chapter in the team’s long history of questionable decisions. It was meant to be a turning point, where success built under Thibodeau could be handed off to a fresh voice with a clear identity. Instead, fans are left watching an unprepared organization grasp for options it should have lined up weeks ago. More than the absence of a hire, it is the absence of direction that truly stings.
New York basketball deserves better than organizational guesswork. The players, the fans, and the legacy of the Garden all demand more. Until the Knicks show they are capable of building with purpose rather than reacting in panic, the road ahead will remain filled with doubt. This coaching hire will define not just the next season, but the future of the franchise. At this point, it’s fair to ask: did the Knicks fire their coach without knowing who they really want to be?
