New York Knicks owner James Dolan is reportedly eying Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau as a replacement for Mike Woodson. Coaching insiders tell ESPN's Marc Stein that, although Thibodeau has two years left on his contract, friction with the Bulls' front office and an injury-prone roster could help send Thibodeau to New York.
Woodson is on the hot seat, and barring a turnaround, the only question appears to be whether Dolan will make a change during the season or wait until the summer. With names like Jeff Van Gundy and Allan Houston already floating around as potential successors, Stein added another name: Thibodeau.
"Thibs has two seasons left on his Bulls deal after this one, true, but there is said to be enough lingering friction between the coach and GM Gar Forman to the point that you can picture it eventually sparking some sort of mutual parting," Stein wrote on Wednesday.
"Throw in the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Derrick Rose's health, rising fears that Thibs' beloved Luol Deng is a certainty to relocate in free agency next summer (if not sooner) and the occasional grumble in circulation about some of the Bulls' players chafing at how hard Thibs pushes them in practice and there's clearly something there when coaching insiders tip you to keep your eye on Thibs to the Knicks."
Stein also said no one he's consulted believes adding Thibodeau, who's known for his intensity, would dissuade Carmelo Anthony from re-signing with the Knicks after the season.
If Dolan believes he can nab Thibodeau from Chicago, maybe in a similar fashion to how the Clippers signed Doc Rivers from the Celtics, then Woodson's job could be safe until the offseason.
Another possibility, as reported by the New York Daily News on Dec. 3, is Knicks assistant general manager Allan Houston taking over for Woodson in the interim.
"...Allan Houston, supposedly the (general manager) in training, looms as a potential successor," Frank Isola of The Daily News wrote. "The word around Knicks camp is that Dolan wouldn't hesitate to promote him to head coach if the Knicks don't turn things around sooner than later."
New York (6-15) visit the Boston Celtics on Friday.
