Report: Tom Thibodeau only a candidate for Knicks head coaching job
The New York Knicks will be interviewing potential head coaching candidates in the coming weeks and months, and Tom Thibodeau is one name that continues to come up in association with the job. Thibodeau has been mentioned as a candidate for other jobs around the league, but it may be Knicks or bust for him.
The Brooklyn Nets are another team that will be looking for a new head coach this offseason, and Marc Stein mentioned Tyronn Lue, Jason Kidd, Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy as potential candidates. While some have wondered if Thibodeau would be a fit in Brooklyn, Stein said it is believed that the Knicks job is the only one Thibodeau is being considered for.
The Nets' process to name a full-time replacement for Kenny Atkinson is not expected to hit top speed until this season is either completed or canceled, but they have been collecting names and, at this juncture, Tom Thibodeau is believed to be solely a Knicks candidate
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 23, 2020
Thibodeau hasn’t coached since being fired by the Minnesota Timberwolves in January 2019. The 62-year-old has been close with new Knicks president Leon Rose for two decades stemming from Rose’s time as an agent with CAA. Thibodeau also served as an assistant coach for the Knicks from 1996 to 2004, so he has previous ties to the organization.
There is no guarantee that the Knicks will move on from interim coach Mike Miller, who has reportedly impressed Rose since he took over for David Fizdale. Thibodeau is said to have high interest in the job, and it seems like a given that he will at least be called in for an interview.