The Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau without a clear idea of who would replace him. That was our immediate reporting when it happened and very obvious today as several candidates were scratched off the board. 

But as we also reported, the Knicks aren’t in a rush. They are comfortable with a vacancy until Summer League if necessary, and the recent strikeouts involving coaches under contract were part of the process of starting with the top of the list, according to multiple sources. 

Another phrase that could apply: due diligence. 

Unfortunately for the Knicks, that diligence led to firm “absolutely not” replies from the teams currently contractually tied to Ime Udoka, Chris Finch, Quin Snyder and Jason Kidd.