The Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau era has come to an end.
SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley reports that the Knicks are firing Thibodeau after five seasons as the team’s head coach.
Sources tell Begley that Thibodeau will not have a role in the Knicks’ front office and will be owed north of $30 million on his extension.
Begley also reports that the Knicks conducted meetings with select players, Thibodeau, and some of his staff this week to assess the season. Knicks owner James Dolan was at the meetings. The ultimate decision on Thibodeau, though, was made by Rose and supported by Dolan.
“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans. This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we’ve decided to move in another direction,” Rose said in a statement released by the team. “We can’t thank Tom enough for pouring his heart and soul into each and every day of being the New York Knicks head coach. He led us not only with class and professionalism for the past five seasons, but also to tremendous success on the court with four playoff berths and four playoff series victories. Ultimately, we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward. Tom will always be a part of our Knicks family and we truly wish him nothing but the best in the future.”
Working with Rose, Thibodeau led the Knicks to a period of sustained regular season success that had eluded the organization, making the playoffs in four of his five seasons. But even with a talented roster that features Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and other key pieces, the Knicks couldn’t get over the hump in the playoffs, falling to the Indiana Pacers in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals as questions arose about Thibodeau’s rotation and substitutions.
Overall, Thibodeau went 226-174 in the regular season, and 24-23 in the playoffs as the Knicks’ head coach.
Begley previously reported that Thibodeau had been on shaky ground in the past and survived, with team president Leon Rose making the decision to stick with Thibodeau amid past uncertainty.
The Knicks now begin a search for the 32nd head coach in franchise history.
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