Kevin Durant would have placed the Knicks among his top preferred destinations, but the team didn’t want to trade for him, according to a report from veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein. "New York made it clear that it’s decided against pursuing a trade for” him, Stein reported.

The New York Knicks were denied permission to speak with coaches Jason Kidd of Dallas, Ime Udoka of Houston and Chris Finch of Minnesota in a slow start to find Tom Thibodeau’s replacement.

The Knicks are back to the drawing board after being denied permission to speak to three coaches in less than day