NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Assistant Likely To Become Next Knicks Head Coach

Jason Kidd is getting closer to being officially appointed as the new head coach of the New York Knicks. As the search continues, the Basketball Hall of Famer has reportedly earned enough to be the frontrunner in the race for the vacant job as the Knicks front office tries to exploit the current Los Angeles Lakers assistant in luring top caliber free agents into playing for the Big Apple.

Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News stated that the Knicks are in serious business of changing their identity in the NBA under the leadership of Leon Rose. After failing to tap the services of veteran tactician Tom Thibodeau in a meeting that allegedly did not turn out well, the Knicks management will look to prioritize Kidd in an attempt to pull off a strategy that would fast-track the team’s progress into becoming contenders anew.

“The Knicks coaching search has turned messy with Jason Kidd emerging as a frontrunner after contract negotiations with Tom Thibodeau stalled, a plugged-in NBA source told the Daily News,” Bondy wrote.

“Kidd, an unquestioned Hall of Fame player, is viewed by the Knicks as a conduit to attracting free agents, but there are also people in the organization who are skeptical of his coaching ability following underwhelming stints in Brooklyn and Milwaukee. As a result, the Kidd hire would come with the caveat of the front office picking at least some of his assistant coaches.”

Kidd, 47, is currently busy helping the Lakers in their bid to capture another championship in the Orlando bubble. But the former 10-time All-Star has not dismissed the possibility of taking sidelines at the Madison Square Garden with the Lakers’ front office even giving him the green light to be interviewed for the job.

It would not be the first time for Kidd to represent the New York franchise as he suited up for the team during his last playing season in 2013.

It is not unknown that the legendary point guard wants another shot at becoming a head coach, and the Knicks could simply pounce on his eagerness to call the shots for a new team.

While considered a neophyte for the role, Kidd was still able to establish a commendable coaching resume after his short stints with the Brooklyn Nets in 2013 and the Milwaukee Bucks from 2014 to 2018.