Tom Thibodeau Earns Well Deserved Contract Extension From the Knicks
The New York Knicks are having a massive offseason after bolstering their wings with the acquisition of Mikal Bridges and the re-signing of OG Anunoby. Star point guard Jalen Brunson also took a historic pay cut on his new contract extension so the team can build towards becoming consistent contenders for a championship.
One of the most critical parts of the team that Leon Rose and the Knicks needed to ensure they keep around long-term is head coach Tom Thibodeau, who has been impressive since he arrived in 2020. On Wednesday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski announced the Knicks head coach is here to stay as Thibodeau has signed a three-year contract extension that will keep him in New York through the 2027-28 season.
ESPN Sources: New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has agreed on a three-year contract extension that’ll take him through the 2027-2028 season. A two-time NBA coach of the year, Thibodeau has led the Knicks to consecutive conference semifinal berths. pic.twitter.com/6sFGkzaT8c
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 24, 2024
This move is no surprise to Knicks fans, as Thibs has built a winning culture since his first season with the team in 2020-21. In his first season, he led them back to the playoffs for the first time since 2012-13 and was named Coach of the Year. The Knicks have also reached the conference semifinals in the last two years after winning only one playoff series between 2001 and 2022. Thibodeau is also already the fifth-winningest coach in franchise history, with a record of 175-143.
Last season, the Knicks made a historic run to the conference semifinals but fell in seven games to the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks were among four teams last season to rank among the top 10 in offensive and defensive efficiency. With the 66-year-old having one season left on his contract and the Knicks continuing to build to contend for a title, it's a no-brainer that the team extend him to help bring a championship back to Madison Square Garden.
While Thibodeau is nearing 70 years old, making him the second oldest head coach in the league behind Spurs' Gregg Popovich, and is notorious for overworking his starting lineup, he is well-liked by his players and Knicks fans. Brunson and Josh Hart even had Thibs on their podcast, 'The Roommates Show ' earlier this summer and both have stated how much they appreciate playing for Thibodeau.
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