Tom Thibodeau is still waiting on a new contract extension from the New York Knicks, but it appears that there is no reason to panic.
Fred Katz of The Athletic shared an update Thursday on the extension talks between the Knicks and their head coach, relaying that Thibodeau is still “more likely” to extend than not (with the delay stemming from the fact the Knicks have had other issues to take care of this summer).
Former NBA Coach of the Year Thibodeau has been in charge of the Knicks for the last four seasons and has led them to a record of 175-143 (.550) with three postseason berths and two playoff series victories. But Thibodeau is entering the final year of his contract with the team and still has yet to land an extension, despite it being over two months now since we heard that the Knicks were working on it.
Still, this has been a very busy offseason indeed for the Knicks, who traded for Mikal Bridges, re-signed OG Anunoby in free agency and hammered out a massively team-friendly extension with star player Jalen Brunson. With all of those items on the agenda now taken care of, it is a safe bet that a long-term extension for Thibodeau, 66, will be next up on deck.
The New York Knicks are reportedly expected to offer coach Tom Thibodeau a contract extension worth upwards of $10 million per season.
Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reported a source “expressed confidence” the two sides will come to an agreement.
Thibodeau, 66, would be coaching in the final year of his contract in 2024-25. He’s made the playoffs in three of his four seasons in New York, guiding the team to its first second-round appearance in 11 years this season.
The Knicks were eliminated in the second round by the Indiana Pacers but fought valiantly amid a rash of injuries across the roster. Speaking to reporters after Sunday’s 130-109 defeat, Thibodeau downplayed any worry about his contract status.
“That’s something that my agent will take care of,” Thibodeau said. “The Knicks have been great to me. So this is where I want to be.”
Thibodeau previously spent five seasons with the Chicago Bulls and three with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Assuming things do not fall completely apart in contract negotiations, Thibodeau will likely finish his coaching career with his longest tenure coming in New York.
That will be a fitting end to his career after Thibodeau cut his teeth as an assistant under Jeff Van Gundy in New York and Houston.
Thibodeau is already the longest-tenured Knicks coach since Van Gundy’s 2001 exit.
