NBA Rumors: Thibodeau Would Be Interested in Rockets HC Job Despite Knicks Buzz

Though Tom Thibodeau is considered the favorite to land the New York Knicks head coaching job, he reportedly has other options going into the offseason.

According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the 62-year-old would have interest in the Houston Rockets job if the team parts with Mike D'Antoni. The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers have also shown interest in the veteran coach, but like Houston, they will be part of the restart to the 2019-20 season in Orlando.

The Knicks' campaign has already ended, with the team not making the 22-team trip to Florida to finish the season since they hold one of the eight worst records in the NBA.

New York will soon begin interviews, including with Mike Miller, Kenny Atkinson and Mike Woodson, but Berman reported those are for "courtesy" while Thibodeau is the clear front-runner.

Thibodeau is reportedly so confident in getting the job that he's already made calls to assemble a staff, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.

Of course, the Knicks job would represent a significant challenge after seven straight losing seasons. No coach has lasted four full seasons with the franchise since Jeff Van Gundy from 1996-2001.

The Rockets are closer to contention with superstars James Harden and Russell Westbrook leading the way. The team has reached at least the Western Conference semifinals in each of the last three years.

Despite the success, the organization is looking for more, and D'Antoni is unlikely to return in 2020-21 without winning a championship, as Sam Amick and John Hollinger of The Athletic reported in December.

This could be a more enticing option for Thibodeau, who is only 24-32 in the playoffs in eight years as a coach in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves.

It might force the Knicks to move quickly to announce their new head coach before the other opportunities present themselves.