For as long as the ’Nova Knicks were around, Jay Wright was considered the most logical succession plan if Tom Thibodeau was bounced.
Wright, 63, has close ties to several members of the Knicks, including team president Leon Rose.
As the wildly successful head coach at Villanova, Wright guided Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart to multiple national titles before retiring in 2022 amid the rise of NIL.
Just last year, Wright told The Post he wasn’t interested in coaching again as speculation swirled about the open Lakers gig.
Like Wright, Kidd also coached Brunson.
Jay Wright was regarded as the most sensible replacement for Tom Thibodeau in the event that he was fired for as long as the Nova Knicks existed.
However, as initially reported by The Post, Wright is “happy in retirement” and is not a contender for the open Knicks position.
Wright, 63, is close to a number of Knicks players, including Leon Rose, the team’s president.
According to a league source, Rose learned from their frequent discussions that Wright has no interest in playing again.
Before he retired in 2022 as NIL was on the rise, Wright, the wildly successful head coach at Villanova, led Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and Jalen Brunson to numerous national titles.
He currently works as a college basketball TV analyst for CBS.
When rumors circulated about the vacant Lakers position just a year ago, Wright told The Post he had no interest in coaching once more.
Wright replied, “No.”. Being thought of or even mentioned by someone is humbling. Since I’ve been here so long, I know all of the men who are making the choices. At the end of that, I wasn’t speaking with Rob Pelinka, the general manager of the Lakers. There were no discussions.
Since you are aware that you cannot stop it, you must accept it as a necessary part of the business. Being thought of by someone even when you are no longer coaching makes you feel a little flattered. “.”.
Now that Wright is no longer involved, a lot of the talk has focused on Jason Kidd, who is being pursued by the Knicks, according to a source, but has the dilemma of having a contract with the Mavericks.
The Knicks are ready to request permission from Dallas to interview Kidd, according to veteran NBA writer Marc Stein.
Kidd, who has two years left on the extension he signed during the 2024 Finals run, successfully wiggled out of a Brooklyn Nets contract more than ten years ago to join Milwaukee. That being said, there is no assurance it would be granted.
Brunson was coached by Kidd, just like Wright. During their year together in Dallas, Brunson transformed from a supporting player to a 2022 playoff scoring star.
The point guard ranked Kidd second out of Brunson’s three NBA coaches.
“I will say, Thibs, no. 1. “Thibs helped me become an All-Star,” Brunson stated a few months ago on his podcast, “The Roommates Show.”. “J-Kidd is not.”. 2. . My confidence to perform and be better was bolstered by J-Kidd. “.”.
Current Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, who just defeated the Knicks for the second consecutive postseason, was the third coach. Brunson spent his first three seasons in Dallas under Carlisle’s tutelage.
As stated by The Post, the Knicks are prioritizing experience in their hiring process and would be content to go without a new player until the start of Summer League, which is in approximately one month. After the team made its first trip to the conference finals in 25 years, they shockingly fired Thibodeau on Tuesday. Rose gave a statement explaining the decision, saying, “Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship.”. “.”.
At least three possible candidates have since been eliminated through sourced reporting or statements.
UConn coach Danny Hurley told reporters that after his intense courtship with the Lakers last season, he would not spend another summer looking for a job in the NBA.
The Athletic claims that although Ime Udoka would be a candidate, the Rockets, his current team, “have no interest” in letting him interview with the Knicks.
Officially, Wright is no longer there.
