Several teams are reportedly interested in Tom Thibodeau in the wake of his firing from the Chicago Bulls. However, the interest may not be mutual.
According to NBA reporter Peter Vecsey, Thibodeau does not want to coach the New Orleans Pelicans because he believes Anthony Davis will leave the team when his contract allows him to. The Orlando Magic are expected to hire Scott Skiles, so they are probably out on Thibodeau. And, for whatever reason, Vecsey notes that Thibs is not interested in the Denver Nuggets vacancy.
The most puzzling piece of info there is the one about Davis and the Pelicans. Davis is under contract through next season, and he’ll be a restricted free agent at that point. That means New Orleans has two more years of control with a player who emerged as a legitimate MVP candidate this season. Why would they let him walk?
When Davis’ contract is up in 2017, he is almost certain to receive a five-year, max offer from the Pelicans. He would have to take significantly less money to sign with another team.
The Pelicans made the playoffs this season for the first time in four years, though they were swept by the Golden State Warriors. Still, they have shown dramatic improvement over the last few years and seem to have a decent core in place. As Dan Feldman of Pro Basketball Talk notes, Thibodeau coached Davis with Team USA. If Vecsey’s report is true, perhaps Thibodeau knows something others don’t about Davis’ future in New Orleans.
