Tom Thibodeau is already the sixth-longest-tenured coach in franchise history, having coached 306 regular season games for a 167-139 record and a 7-9 postseason record. The last time a Knicks coach remained in that position for at least four seasons before Thibodeau was Mike D’Antoni from 2009-12.
By next season, Thibodeau will have passed Hubie Brown for fourth-most games coached for New York and can pass Jeff Van Gundy for third if he’s still around for the 2025-26 season.
It would be a surprise if the Knicks were unable to reach an extension with Thibodeau. He has already given the franchise more sustained success than at any point in the 2000s, and his ability to develop players who would otherwise be considered afterthoughts on other teams has made the team look like a serious threat to compete for an NBA championship.
Beyond that, the organization’s respect for Thibodeau spans decades, as he served as an assistant coach for the Knicks from 1996-2003, including an NBA Finals appearance in 1999.
Even if the Knicks fail to make the playoffs this year, they still have a lot to look forward to in the future as Jalen Brunson continues to blossom as a star and will hopefully have a healthier roster alongside him. Thibodeau has earned the right to have a chance to elevate this team to new heights this season and beyond.