For so long as the ’Nova Knicks have been round, Jay Wright was thought of essentially the most logical succession plan if Tom Thibodeau was bounced.
However because it seems, Wright is “blissful in retirement” and never a candidate for the vacant Knicks place, as first reported by The Put up.
Wright, 63, has shut ties to a number of members of the Knicks, together with group president Leon Rose.
Their common conversations led to Rose’s understanding that Wright isn’t considering 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 faculty basketball.
Simply final 12 months, Wright advised The Put up he wasn’t considering 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 choices, 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 already know you’ll be able to’t cease it, so it’s a must to sit again and say it’s a part of the enterprise. Once you’re not teaching anymore, you’re nonetheless sort of flattered that any person would consider you.”
With Wright out of the image, a lot of the noise just lately has centered on Jason Kidd, who’s being focused by the Knicks, a supply confirmed, however carries the conundrum of being below contract with the Mavericks.
In response to veteran NBA author Marc Stein, the Knicks are ready to ask Dallas for permission to interview Kidd.
There’s no assure it will be granted, however it’s price noting that Kidd, who has two years remaining on the extension he signed throughout 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 12 months 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 just lately eradicated the Knicks for a second straight postseason. Carlisle guided Brunson for his first three seasons in Dallas.
As The Put up reported, the Knicks are emphasizing expertise of their search and can be snug with no 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 successful a championship.”
Since then, not less than three potential candidates have both been eliminated through statements or sourced reporting.
Danny Hurley, the UConn coach, advised reporters he wouldn’t endure one other summer time of NBA job searching after final 12 months’s heavy flirtation with the Lakers.
Ime Udoka can be a candidate, however his present group, the Rockets, “has no curiosity” in permitting him to interview with the Knicks, in line with The Athletic.
Now Wright is formally out.
