Knicks will offer Tom Thibodeau an eight-figure contract extension…
New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau is not going anywhere.
The polarizing coach and the Knicks will discuss a new contract this offseason, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
“He’s going to be entering the final year of his contract next season,” Charania said on “Run It Back” on May 15. “You’re not going to let a coach like Tom Thibodeau go into a lame duck year, so that’s why I’m told both sides will discuss a new deal in the offseason. The Knicks very much want to lock in Tom Thibodeau long-term.”
Despite Thibodeau’s unpopular status among NBA players around the league, he’s been the best coach the Knicks had in over two decades. He’s compiled a 175-143 record in his first four seasons with the Knicks while leading them to three playoff berths and two Eastern Conference semifinal appearances. He also earned his second NBA Coach of the Year along the way. His 175 wins are the fifth-most by a Knick coach in franchise history.
After Tuesday’s 121-91 rout of the Indiana Pacers in Game 5, the Knicks moved one win away from their first Eastern Conference Finals trip since 2000.
‘Eight-Figure Deal’
Charania projected Thibodeau’s next deal to be lucrative based on his winning record and the recent coaching contracts.
“He’s at about a $7 million per season right on his current deal, and we see where these coaching contracts are going,” Charania continued. “And so it wouldn’t surprise anyone if his next deal approaches eight figures.”
Knicks’ conference rival Miami Heat awarded their longtime head coach and two-time champion coach Erik Spoelstra with a staggering eight-year extension worth $120 million. Four-time champion coach Steve Kerr bagged a two-year, $35 million extension with the Golden State Warriors.
The Phoenix Suns gave former champion coach and two-time NBA Coach of the Year Mike Budenholzer a five-year contract worth roughly $50 million. The last-placed Detroit Pistons inked Monty Williams to six years worth $78.5 million.