Lakers Rumors: Knicks Granted Jason Kidd Interview for Head Coach Opening

The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly allowed assistant coach Jason Kidd permission to interview with the New York Knicks for their vacant head-coaching job, per Marc Stein of the New York Times.  

Kidd is in his first season as an assistant under Lakers head coach Frank Vogel. 

Ian Begley of SNY reported that Kidd is the 10th known external candidate the Knicks plan on interviewing in what appears to be a sweeping and extensive search. 

Begley listed the other candidates as current interim head coach Mike Miller, Dallas Mavericks assistant Jamahl Mosley, San Antonio Spurs assistant Will Hardy, Golden State Warriors assistant Mike Brown, Chicago Bulls assistant Chris Fleming, Philadelphia 76ers assistant Ime Udoka, Orlando Magic assistant Pat Delany and former NBA head coaches Mike Woodson, Tom Thibodeau and Kenny Atkinson.

Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times reported that the Knicks and Kidd spoke on Friday and are hoping to have an in-person meeting before the Lakers go to Orlando and are quarantined in the league's 22-team return to action. 

Steve Popper of Newsday added that there is a belief around the NBA that Kidd could attract Giannis Antetokounmpo when the Milwaukee Bucks superstar is eligible to become a free agent after the 2020-21 season:

Kidd, 47, spent parts of Antetokounmpo's first four seasons as Milwaukee's head coach, leading the Bucks to a 139-152 record and two playoff berths. He was fired midway through the 2017-18 campaign. He also spent one year as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, going 44-38 and leading the team to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. 

Kidd was a Hall of Fame player—a 10-time All-Star, a six-time All-NBA first-team selection and a four-time All-Defensive first-team selection. He was also the 1994-95 Rookie of the Year and his 12,091 assists are second all-time behind Utah Jazz legend John Stockton (15,806).