New York, which fired Tom Thibodeau after losing the Eastern Conference finals in six games, has been on the hunt for a new head coach but has been denied by at least five teams — including the Mavericks for permission to talk to coach Jason Kidd.

Perhaps there are better coaches out there, but Thibodeau was well prepared. His players played hard for him, and he deserved another year to work with Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson.