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Tom Thibodeau Reportedly 'Canvassing' NBA Amid Knicks, Rockets Rumors
May 20, 2020
Former Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau's name has been connected with a few NBA teams in regard to potential head coaching vacancies next offseason, and Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News reported Wednesday that the 62-year-old is reviewing his potential choices.
"Thibodeau, according to sources, has been canvassing the league and asking which open coaching job will be the best to take. That doesn't mean Thibodeau will be offered each job, but he's culling opinions. The Knicks, Nets and Rockets are among the expected vacancies."
Thibodeau owns a lifetime 352-246 record in seven-and-a-half seasons, with his first five occurring in Chicago.
He found his most success with the Bulls, piloting the team to a league-best 62-20 record and Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 2010-2011.
The Bulls made the playoffs during all of his five seasons, but as Bondy noted, feuds with the front office led to a parting of ways in 2015.
Thibodeau joined the Timberwolves as their coach and team president in 2016. The T-Wolves made the playoffs for the first time since 2003-04 after appearing in the 2017-18 postseason, but Minnesota regressed the following year. Thibodeau was let go after a 19-21 start.
"The contrasting personalities of Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns doomed the sustainability," Bondy wrote of Thibodeau's Minnesota tenure.
"The contrasting personalities of Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns doomed the sustainability," Bondy wrote of Thibodeau's Minnesota tenure.
"Towns, in particular, didn't mesh well with Thibodeau, who acknowledged that he's finished being an executive."
Thibodeau appears ready for his third shot as an NBA head coach, and the New York Knicks are interested, per Bondy. Other possible candidates include Kentucky head coach John Calipari and Knicks interim head coach Mike Miller.
But Thibodeau looks like the favorite in New York, a sentiment that has been discussed via numerous sources. Of note, ESPN's Frank Isola reported in early March that new Knicks team president Leon Rose "has been close with [Thibodeau] for two decades and that "if a coaching change is made Thibodeau would be among the favorites."
Marc Berman of the New York Post also reported word from a "Thibodeau confidant" in February that the ex-Bulls and Wolves leader "really wants the Knicks job."
If the Knicks are in fact the choice, then Thibodeau would become the team's 12th head or interim head coach since 2004.
"Towns, in particular, didn't mesh well with Thibodeau, who acknowledged that he's finished being an executive."
Thibodeau appears ready for his third shot as an NBA head coach, and the New York Knicks are interested, per Bondy. Other possible candidates include Kentucky head coach John Calipari and Knicks interim head coach Mike Miller.
But Thibodeau looks like the favorite in New York, a sentiment that has been discussed via numerous sources. Of note, ESPN's Frank Isola reported in early March that new Knicks team president Leon Rose "has been close with [Thibodeau] for two decades and that "if a coaching change is made Thibodeau would be among the favorites."
Marc Berman of the New York Post also reported word from a "Thibodeau confidant" in February that the ex-Bulls and Wolves leader "really wants the Knicks job."
If the Knicks are in fact the choice, then Thibodeau would become the team's 12th head or interim head coach since 2004.