Knicks Fire Tom Thibodeau: Next steps, potential replacements, trading goals

Melissa Rohl

Fox Sports NBA Vriter

Coaching Ranks have their last victim, this way in the form of loved ones, but a bit controversial figures named Tom Thibodea, who led New York Knicks to the final conference final for the first time in 25 years of this post-season.

A surprising move given that Knicks give up two seasons where at least 50 games won and they headed to rise expectations in the players, knocking with the ruling champion Boston Celtics in the second round before falling on Indiana Pacers In six games a few days ago.

Thibodeau, who was headed by Knicks from 2020. year, transformed them from the team who missed seasoned seven seven seasons in a row in one that appeared four times under his mandate.

But when the celebrated franchise like Knicks approaches planning, but it falls, including leading lead with 14 minutes, and under 3 minutes remained in play 1 conference final, head, and thibodeau was the first domino.

1. Who are the candidates?

Michael Malone

Michael Malone is probably the best coach that is available after released him in April. (Photo Eakin Howard / Getty Images)

Thibodeau is not the only coach that seemed a seemingly widen carpet in it this season. Another surprising coaching move was taken shortly before the playoffs started when Denver Nuggets They fired their long-standing coaches with three games in the regular season. Malone knows how to win. He led nuggets in the total record of 471-327 during his 10 seasons per forehead, including seven levels and championships and championships in 2023. Not to mention, Malone was nation, Malone is New York.

Mike Budenholzer

Knicks obviously believe that the franchise is close to it is great, so it seems logical to want someone with the championship experience to help them take the next jump. Budenholzer is also available and fits on that account after led Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 Championship. Budenholzer was fired as Phoenix Suns coach after stunning disappointing regular seasons, in which his team had so much talent Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley BealHowever, the default are insufficiently reformed, if we do not play playoffs. But Budenholzer is respected by the mind at both ends of the court and has a record 520-363 in 11 seasons as the main coach.

Jai vright

Would the former basketball head Villan’s men’s basketball coach Jai Vright was a real person who copied new Knicks? (Photo Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)

Although Vright has no experience in the NBA coach, this move could make a lot of sense. He was the main coach of Villanova with 2001-2022 and has strong connections Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikala Bridgeswhich everyone played for wild cats. Vright was led by Villan’s two national championships in 2016 and 2018 years.

Mike Brown

The Sacramento Kings They made waves when they fired brown after 13-18 beginning this season, despite appointed by unanimous coach of the year in 2023. years and letting a 16-year-dry drought that was a year. The brown is a defensive specialist who was previously worse for wings for training.

2 Which players could benefit the most from the change in coaching?

The reason why the word “controversial” used in relation to Thibodea is because it drew a lot of criticism to play starter for a strong minute. The bridges, which are on average on average on average, admitted to an average, admitted that it took over tolar in March.

“Sometimes it’s not fun on the body,” Bridges told reporters. “But you want it as a coach, and also talked to him a little knowing that we have a long enough team in which our guys can enter and we should not play 48 (minutes), 47.”

Five different wedges are on average for more than 35 minutes per game last season. (Photography Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

Thibodeau played his initial five much more than any other group with five men in the NBA. So, under a different coach, beginners could benefit from other vacations, something that has emphasized in recent years as an important measure to prevent injuries. Meanwhile, reserves will get more chances of developing and proven.

It was said, Brunson made it clearly supporting Thibodea after the wedges were eliminated from the conference final when the reporter asked if he had confidence in his coach.

“Is that the right question right now?” Brunson asked. “Did you just ask me if I believe he was a real guy? Yes.”

3. Should we expect a trade in this exposing?

The future of Giannis Antetokounpus in Milvaukee is uncertain after another day of passing end. (Photo John Fisher / Getty Images)

In short, yes.

Knicks has already proven that they are willing to make great moves to fasten them when they have gained bridges during the summer, then made a block Karl-Anthony Cities in the pre-season.

And now, their decision to fires Thibodeafter after his best season over the decade emphasizes that they are ready to take extreme measures to try to win the championship now.

While the wedges exceeded the expectations, it is the setting, it is necessary to note that they won the Celtic team that lost Jaison Tatum to injury to Achilles. Not to mention, Knicks was third this season behind Cleveland and Boston and there were 0-8 against those teams.

It seems obvious that the Knicks will be aggressively in connection with the use of Rosters’ upgrades. The question is whether to invest minor changes to improve their depth or whether to move the NBA-landscape, such as trying to acquire a superstar like Kevin Durant or Giannis Antetokounpo.

Melissa Rohlin is included NBA A writer for fox sports. She has previously covered the league for illustrated sports, Los Angeles Times, News Gulf Group and News San Antonio Express news. Follow it on Twitter @Melissarohl.