The Knicks and head coach Tom Thibodeau have reached an agreement on a three-year extension, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Thibodeau had one year left on his current contract, so the new deal will begin 2025 and will run through the 2027/28 season.
An extension for Thibodeau had been expected for much of the offseason after he led a banged-up roster to its second consecutive Eastern Conference semifinal this spring.
The Knicks have finished at least 10 games above .500 in three of Thibodeau’s four years at the helm, compiling a 175-143 (.550) regular season record during that time, including a 50-32 mark in 2023/24, which was the team’s best single-season record in over a decade.
As Wojnarowski observes (via Twitter), New York was one of just four teams to finish in the NBA’s top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency in ’23/24. The NBA’s Coach of the Year in 2011 (with the Bulls) and 2021 (with the Knicks), Thibodeau finished fifth in voting for the award this season.
Thibodeau’s extension is the latest major move in what has been an eventful offseason for the Knicks’ front office. The team kicked off the summer by making a deal with the cross-town Nets to land Mikal Bridges, then locked up top free agent OG Anunoby to a five-year contract and signed All-NBA guard Jalen Brunson to a below-market, long-term extension.
The financial terms of Thibodeau’s extension aren’t yet known. There has been speculation that his new contract will exceed $10MM per year, given the eight-figure annual salaries that coaches like Monty Williams, Erik Spoelstra, Gregg Popovich, Steve Kerr, Mike Budenholzer, and Tyronn Lue have received since last spring.
It’s about time. Thibs is taking us to the promised land. These guys play their tails off for him.
They did that before having Thibs as a coach. They won a championship doing so.
And what’s with the intrusive ads popping up??? Annoying as hell.
What championship are you referring to? Did it occur in this millennium?
I think he’s talking about the Villanova championship.
Nova Knicks.
It was their style was before they knew who Thibs was. They don’t do it for him, it’s in their DNA.
Their last championship was 1973. Maybe you are confusing them with some other NY team? The Knicks are the really tall guys who play with the big round ball and run around in shorts.
Well deserved! Looking forward to this coming season!
It is so refreshing as a long time Knicks fan to see some organizational stability and players you want to root for. Good for Tom, good for the Knicks, and good for us fans.
Tom Thibodeau getting his extension is well deserved. He’s put out the best New York Knicks team since Jeff Van Gundy. He has them guys buy in! He is a top ten head coach in the NBA. He brings that toughness and hard nose mentality to New York and it resonates throughout the Knicks.
Mitchell Robinson is a huge question mark do to his injury history. If he can come into camp in great shape and ready to live up to his potential this is a championship roster. Precious Achiuwa might have to be resigned to be his backup Center.
Guys getting injured last year stopped him from using/not using certain guys together, and now they magically ended up with a ridiculously good roster, and needing 2 more somewhat inconsequential players to be a legit championship contender
He’s going to end up being propped up a lot, but he’s there for the best roster they’ve had in 50 years now, so this is their chance to win, and if they don’t, it will likely be his fault
Well deserved coach ……
“In Thibs we Trust”
means he has the next four yrs. Should be a lot of fun. Year5 of the Knickerbocker rebuild coming.
Thibs and Rose have built a Contender. To start their 5th yr together. I’d say Job Well Done ……….. thank you !!
Time to gooo get it …….
He built the team as much as the FO. He should be the one to coach it. His contract matches the 4 year window for the roster. Brunson, OG, McBride, DiV, Hart and (soon) Bridges will be under contract for that period. Mitch for 2 years. Randle is the only core personnel issue on the horizon. This is his year to show he’s a championship second option. That’s the only fundamental thing possibly missing.