Patience a virtue to get Kidd

Despite the Mavericks denying the Knicks permission to interview head coach Jason Kidd, the Knicks can still get him if Jason Kidd orchestrates his departure from Dallas.

Here’s the thing about Mavericks coach Jason Kidd: He did not have success just by being a nice guy.

Sure, he comes off that way when he speaks to the media. He is so smooth in talking the way he was so smooth in running the offense as a point guard in his successful NBA playing career.

But Kidd can be a Machiavellian. He displayed that as a player when he orchestrated a head coach’s firing. He displayed that as a Nets head coach when he orchestrated his departure to coach the Milwaukee Bucks so he could have full control over personnel along with being a head coach.

The Knicks are banking on Kidd to do it again. They want him to be their next head coach, but the Dallas Mavericks refused to permit the Knicks to interview him because he is their property.

The Knicks know this is far from over. They know what Kidd is all about from what he has done in his career to get what he wants.

If Kidd wants to coach the Knicks, he will find a way.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Kidd is the next Knicks coach when all is said and done.

There has to be a reason why the Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau as a head coach. Yes, the Knicks knew all about his flaws, such as overusing his players to the point they had nothing left to give late in the playoffs, along with running an iso offense and not focusing on player development.

But they are not going to fire him without having someone in mind.

They had to know Kidd wanted to be here through an intermediary. It’s why the team has been focusing on him all this time.

I do think the Mavericks head coach wants to be here. He always enjoyed playing in New York based on his time with the Knicks. Even when he played for the New Jersey Nets, he did enjoy the spotlight of playing in the New York market.

Here’s the thing about Kidd: He loves the attention.

He couldn’t get enough of it when he played for the Knicks and Nets. His ego needed it.

Imagine if Kidd becomes the head coach who ended the Knicks’ 52-year title drought. There would be a statue for him. He wouldn’t have to pay for drinks and food in this city again.

For Kidd, this would mean so much for him and his ego.

The Knicks can win a championship next year. They have a star in Jalen Brunson, and if there is a head coach who can maximize Karl-Anthony Towns’ and Mikal Bridges’ talent, it’s Kidd.

Kidd can also develop young players and create a foundation with the bench players.

This has to intrigue Kidd. He has a better chance of winning a championship in New York than in Dallas.

Yes, the Mavericks boast Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis and this year’s No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg. But here’s the kicker: Irving and Davis are injury-prone, and Flagg is going to have his ups and downs as a rookie.

With the Knicks, he has a team that is championship-ready.

Kidd’s chances of getting to the NBA Finals are much easier if he coaches the Knicks since the Eastern Conference doesn’t feature great teams. Although the Pacers are great, they could take a step back next season.

In the West, it’s a different story. The Oklahoma City Thunder are the favorites to win a championship next season, with the core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams just getting started to do more special things. The San Antonio Spurs are building something with Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and this year’s No. 2 overall pick. The Minnesota Timberwolves boast Anthony Edwards.

It’s really a no-brainer for Kidd.

Then, there’s the Mavericks ownership. Remember, Mark Cuban doesn’t own the Mavericks anymore. It’s Patrick Dumont along with his mother-in-law, Dr. Miriam Adelson.

Kidd knows his new boss isn’t Cuban, who was all about winning. The Mavericks are now run like a business where the bottom line matters more. This explains why Luka Dončić was traded, much to Kidd’s chagrin.

Kidd knows Dolan will spend to win. For all the criticism Dolan gets, and he deserves it, he does want to win a championship as the Knicks owner. He wants the championship to be his legacy as well.

The Knicks need to be patient here. Yes, they need to do their due diligence in interviewing other head coaching candidates such as Taylor Jenkins and Mike Brown.

But they know they have to find a way to get their guy.

Kidd knows he has to find a way to coach the Knicks.

This is far from being over as long as Kidd has a say in all this.