For so long as the ’Nova Knicks had been round, Jay Wright was thought-about essentially the most logical succession plan if Tom Thibodeau was bounced.
However because it seems, Wright is “glad in retirement” and never a candidate for the vacant Knicks place, as first reported by The Submit.
Wright, 63, has shut ties to a number of members of the Knicks, together with crew president Leon Rose.
Their common conversations led to Rose’s understanding that Wright isn’t interested by returning to the sideline, a league supply mentioned.
Because the wildly profitable head coach at Villanova, Wright guided Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart to a number of nationwide titles earlier than retiring in 2022 amid the rise of NIL.
He’s now at CBS as a TV analyst for school basketball.
Simply final yr, Wright advised The Submit he wasn’t interested by teaching once more as hypothesis swirled concerning the open Lakers gig.
“No,” Wright mentioned. “It’s humbling that somebody would even point out you or take into consideration you. I’ve been round so lengthy, all the blokes who’re making the selections, I do know these guys. I wasn’t speaking to [Lakers general manager] Rob Pelinka on the finish of that. There have been no conversations.
“You recognize you’ll be able to’t cease it, so you need to sit again and say it’s a part of the enterprise. Once you’re not teaching anymore, you’re nonetheless form of flattered that anyone would consider you.”
With Wright out of the image, a lot of the noise recently has centered on Jason Kidd, who’s being focused by the Knicks, a supply confirmed, however carries the conundrum of being underneath contract with the Mavericks.
In line with veteran NBA author Marc Stein, the Knicks are ready to ask Dallas for permission to interview Kidd.
There’s no assure it might be granted, nevertheless it’s price noting that Kidd, who has two years remaining on the extension he signed in the course of the 2024 Finals run, efficiently maneuvered himself out of a Brooklyn Nets contract over a decade in the past to hitch Milwaukee.
Like Wright, Kidd additionally coached Brunson. They spent a yr collectively in Dallas, when Brunson blossomed from a job participant to a scoring stud within the 2022 playoffs.
Of Brunson’s three NBA coaches, the purpose guard ranked Kidd as second.
“I’m going to say Thibs, No. 1. Thibs helped me develop into an All-Star,” Brunson mentioned on his podcast, “The Roommates Present” a few months in the past. “J-Kidd is No. 2. J-Kidd gave me the arrogance to be higher and carry out higher.”
The third coach was present Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, who lately eradicated the Knicks for a second straight postseason. Carlisle guided Brunson for his first three seasons in Dallas.
As The Submit reported, the Knicks are emphasizing expertise of their search and can be snug and not using a rent till Summer season League, which begins in a few month. They shockingly fired Thibodeau on Tuesday after the franchise’s first run to the convention finals in 25 years, with Rose explaining the transfer with a press release that learn, “Our group is singularly centered on profitable a championship.”
Since then, not less than three potential candidates have both been eliminated through statements or sourced reporting.
Danny Hurley, the UConn coach, told reporters he wouldn’t endure one other summer time of NBA job searching after final yr’s heavy flirtation with the Lakers.
Ime Udoka can be a candidate, however his present crew, the Rockets, “has no curiosity” in permitting him to interview with the Knicks, in response to The Athletic.
Now Wright is formally out.
