After revitalizing the New York Knicks, head coach Tom Thibodeau is reportedly in line for a contract extension to continue his tenure in New York. NBA insider Marc Stein has provided a significant update on this development.
Born in 1958 in Connecticut, Thibodeau shone in high school basketball and continued his success at Salem State College, where he began his coaching career as an assistant in 1981. His NBA journey began in 1989 with the Minnesota Timberwolves as an assistant coach. Over the years, he has held assistant positions with several NBA teams, including the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, and Boston Celtics, with whom he won an NBA championship in 2008. Known for his defensive prowess, Thibodeau’s teams have consistently ranked among the top defensively. He has been named NBA Coach of the Year twice, in 2011 with the Chicago Bulls and in 2021 with the Knicks, and also contributed to the U.S. men’s national basketball team’s gold medal win at the 2016 Olympics.
According to Stein’s latest newsletter, there is strong anticipation that the Knicks will soon announce a contract extension for Thibodeau. “There was a strong expectation in the desert that a contract extension for Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau will be announced in the near future,” Stein reported.
Since Thibodeau took over in 2020, he has transformed the Knicks from a struggling team into a playoff contender, notably with the leadership of All-Star guard Jalen Brunson and the recent addition of young wing Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets.
While the exact terms of Thibodeau’s extension remain to be seen, it is expected that the Knicks will offer him a significant deal in recognition of his achievements and impact on the team.