Cooper Flagg reveals his talks with Jason Kidd as Knicks interest in coach persists

Cooper Flagg said Jason Kidd explained a “good vision” for a partnership in Dallas, but acknowledged the Knicks and their pursuit of the coach never came up.  

“I haven’t had those conversations yet at all,” Flagg said after being picked first overall Wednesday. “But I think talking with Coach Kidd, my workout and even after I got picked, I was on the phone with him for a minute, I think he’s just excited. He has a good vision for me and what I can do and how I can impact the game. So I’m excited to just talk to him more.”

The Knicks were denied permission by the Mavericks to interview Kidd for their vacant coaching position, but speculation persists about a potential union.

Kidd is intrigued by the Knicks gig while simultaneously angling for a contract extension from the Mavericks, leaving the possibility of a messy breakup if no agreement is reached. 

A source said the Mavericks front office informed Kidd it wants to address his contract later in the offseason. 

Meantime, the Mavericks assistant coaching staff is in flux — with lead assistant Sean Sweeney departing for San Antonio  – but the roster got a major long-term boost with Flagg, who is only 18 and considered a transformational star.

“My mindset has always been to be a winner, so I’m going to try to win as hard as I can everywhere I go,” Flagg said. “I’m looking forward to being successful and winning a lot of games, for sure.”

The Knicks have either interviewed or scheduled sitdowns with at least four candidates – Taylor Jenkins, Mike Brown, Micah Nori and James Borrego. 

They did not make a pick in Wednesday’s first round after trading it last year in the Mikal Bridges swap. 

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The Knicks have a recent history of hitting in the draft’s second round.

From Mitchell Robinson to Miles McBride to Jericho Sims to, perhaps, Tyler Kolek and Ariel Hukporti — they’ve picked well in areas where most players fade quickly out of the NBA. 

Tom Thibodeau was a part of that process, specifically targeting McBride in 2021.

But he’s gone and the Knicks, who own the 50th pick in Thursday’s second round, may not have the cap space or roster spot to accommodate another ready-made choice. 

It’s why people around the NBA believe the Knicks will either trade out of the second round or choose a player who will be stashed overseas.

With the new apron system, every salary dollar — even if just for a second-round rookie — carries more significance.   

They own the 50th pick after a trade last year with the Thunder.

New York’s own second-round pick was forfeited because it was found guilty of tampering with Jalen Brunson before his free-agent signing in 2023. 

Definitely worth it.

Building and utilizing depth is an emphasis for the Knicks next season — a directive passed down from the organization’s highest level (the team has relayed to people it hopes to have a 10-man rotation next season) — and, assuming no trades, they already have 11 players under contract.

That doesn’t count two potential young prospects — Kevin McCullar Jr., a second-round pick last year, and James Nnaji, a second-round pick in 2023 — who both offer potential but no evidence yet they’re capable of playing in the NBA. 

They’ll have the $5.7 million midlevel exception to use in free agency, plus the ability to fill holes with minimum contracts.