The New York Knicks have formally requested permission to speak with Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd as they begin the process of replacing Tom Thibodeau, according to multiple reports.

The New York Knicks made the somewhat surprising move to fire coach Tom Thibodeau after losing in the Eastern Conference Finals. It's not often that a front office goes ahead and fires a coach who makes the conference finals -- especially for a team that hasn't made it there in more than two decades.

The New York Knicks are conducting active due diligence on Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd among other head coaching candidates in their search to replace Tom Thibodeau, sources told ESPN.