Although Tom Thibodeau is considered the favorite to get the role of head coach of the New York Knicks, he reportedly has other options that go offseason.
According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the 62-year-old would have an interest in working for the Houston Rockets if the team separated from 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 of the 2019-20 season in Orlando.
New York will begin interviews soon, including with Mike Miller, Kenny Atkinson and Mike Woodson, but Berman has reported that they are out of “courtesy”, while Thibodeau is the clear front-runner.
Thibodeau is reportedly so confident in getting the job he has already called to bring together a staff, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.
Of course, the Knicks job would pose a significant challenge after seven consecutive losing seasons. No coach lasted four full seasons with the Jeff Van Gundy franchise from 1996 to 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 past three years.
This could be a more tempting 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 could force the Knicks to move quickly to announce their new manager before the other opportunities arise.