Knicks, Jason Kidd have mutual interest in potential coaching blockbuster

The interest between coaching target Jason Kidd and the Knicks is mutual, The Post has confirmed.

Kidd remains under contract with the Mavericks, but the Hall of Famer is open to discussing the Knicks head coach job, vacant after the firing of Tom Thibodeau last week, a source told Post beat writer Stefan Bondy.

Earlier Monday, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst described the Kidd situation as “mutual intrigue” with the Knicks.

Kidd, who played for the Knicks in the final year of his NBA career in 2012-13, has coached the Mavericks for the past four seasons, including a trip to the NBA Finals a year ago.

He also has a strong relationship with All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson, who played his first four pro seasons with the Mavs, including one under Kidd’s tutelage in 2021-22.

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd and the Knicks have mutual interest, The Post confirmed. Getty Images

Veteran NBA writer Marc Stein reported on his Substack account Friday that the Knicks would formally ask for permission to speak with Kidd, but it is unclear if that request officially has been made.

Dallas missed the playoffs after trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers in February before winning the NBA draft lottery last month for the right to draft Duke star Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick.

Kidd previously coached the Nets and the Bucks, and he’s close with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, a potential blockbuster trade target for the Knicks this summer after they lost to Indiana in the Eastern Conference finals.

The Post reported Saturday that former Villanova coach Jay Wright is not interested in the position. Ime Udoka is another current NBA coach the Knicks have considered pursuing, but ESPN reported that the Rockets will not grant teams permission to speak with him. The Post also has reported that former Nuggets coach Mike Malone is not expected to be a candidate.

Kidd signed a two-year contract extension through 2026-27, per Stein, with the Mavericks during last year’s postseason run, so a move to the Knicks likely would require compensation.

Jason Kidd (l.) and Jalen Brunson (r.) with the Mavericks in 2022. NBAE via Getty Images

The Celtics received an unprotected first-round pick as compensation after the Clippers hired Doc Rivers in 2013, and the Nets recouped two second-round picks when Kidd was hired by the Bucks the following year.