The New York Knicks' requests to speak with Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch and Houston Rockets bench boss Ime Udoka for the team's coaching vacancy were both denied, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
The Knicks also requested permission to interview Dallas Mavericks bench boss Jason Kidd on Wednesday, which the Mavs rejected, Charania reports. Dallas is reportedly confident that the 52-year-old prefers to remain with the Mavericks and would rebuff New York.
New York's request to interview Atlanta Hawks coach Quin Snyder was also firmly denied, Charania adds.
The Knicks parted ways Tom Thibodeau earlier in June after losing to the Indiana Pacers in their first trip to the Eastern Conference finals since 2000. The veteran coach also guided the team to the conference semifinals in back-to-back campaigns in 2023 and '24. Thibodeau went 226-174 over five seasons.
Finch has led the Timberwolves to four consecutive postseason appearances, including two straight Western Conference finals berths. The 55-year-old has a 209-160 record since joining the team midway through the 2020-21 season.
Udoka helped guide the Rockets to their best finish since 2020, ending the season 52-30 as the West's No. 2 seed. Houston lost in the first round to the Golden State Warriors in seven games.
