The New York Knicks requested permission to speak to Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka and Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch for their open head coaching job, but were denied on both counts, sources confirmed to ESPN.
The Knicks could request permission for other current head coaches, too.
Both Udoka and Finch are both coming off successful seasons with their respective teams, as the Rockets ended a four-your playoff drought as the West's No. 2 seed and the Wolves made their second-straight conference finals.
New York is searching for a new head coach after firing Tom Thibodeau last week in a a surprise move after he led the team to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years.