The New York Knicks have begun their search for their next head coach. Despite leading the team to the Eastern Conference Finals this season, Tom Thibodeau was fired by the team shortly after the series loss to the Indiana Pacers. Many big names have been linked to the famous franchise, including Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd and Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch. However, another name was floated when the job opened up: former Villanova head coach Jay Wright. Reports indicate that while it would be a fun match, Wright has removed his name from contention.
Jay Wright Declines New York Knicks Job
The biggest reason for the rumor is the ties Jay Wright has to many of the players on the New York Knicks. Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, and Mikal Bridges all attended the school and were coached by Wright. All three won the title in 2016, with Brunson and Bridges also being a part of the 2018 national championship team. It has often been reported that the former Villanova coach is enjoying retirement, but many wondered whether this would entice him to come back.
Ian Begley of SNY reported that it is not the case. “Leon Rose & Wright have a close relationship and speak regularly. Because of that, Rose knows Wright is very happy as a retiree, per league source. So Wright is not a candidate for the job, league source said,” Begley said on Saturday. The Knicks will have to look elsewhere to find their next head coach.
Who Is The Best Fit?
The good news for the New York Knicks is that they have a talented roster. There is a reason this roster made a deep playoff run. Kidd and Finch seemed to be the top candidates, but both of them would require giving compensation to the opposing team since they are under contract. The Houston Rockets have already made it clear Ime Udoka is not leaving.
The New York Knicks are taking a risk. If all of their top candidates fall through, they could have to settle for a second-tier candidate who might not be better than Thibodeau. Fans will not be happy if the team regresses next season because they decided to make some changes on the sidelines.
Final Thoughts
As a fan, it’s a bummer Wright isn’t interested. It would be a cool story for a coach who won a national championship with certain players to try to take those same players to an NBA Championship. The New York Knicks search continues!
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