Knicks Rumors: Tom Thibodeau top candidate if Mike Miller is replaced

If the New York Knicks replace interim head coach Mike Miller, then the expectation appears to be that Tom Thibodeau would be hired.

The New York Knicks are approaching an offseason that will go a long way towards defining the future of the organization. The Knicks have multiple draft picks, potential cap space, and an interim head coach whose future will be evaluated.

If recently-hired team president Leon Rose chooses to part with interim head coach Mike Miller, then a former Knicks assistant could be his replacement.

Whether fair or foul, new hires at the top of an organization often lead to drastic changes down the line. That most often occurs at head coach, where executives look to bring in their own people to ensure that the lines of communication lead to familiar faces.

According to Ian Begley of SNY, coaches and other individuals with a vested interest in Rose’s decision believe he may already have a replacement in mind: Tom Thibodeau.

"For what it’s worth, several coaches and people with a vetted interest in Leon Rose’s first coaching hire believe it will ultimately be [Tom] Thibodeau — if he doesn’t retain Mike Miller."

It must be noted that it’s still entirely possible that Miller will be retained, but Thibodeau appears to have piqued the interest of the new front office regime.

Miller has exceeded expectations under the interim title during the 2019-20 NBA regular season. After David Fizdale got off to a 4-18 start before he was relieved of his duties as head coach, Miller led the Knicks to a resurgent 17-27 record over the course of his 44 games at the helm.

Begley previously reported that Rose has been impressed with the job that Miller has done under such difficult circumstances.

Nevertheless, the search for the right head coach will always result in multiple candidates being considered—and thus, Thibodeau has surfaced as an option.

Thibodeau is a polarizing figure in NBA circles, due in large part to his tendency to play his starters upwards of 35 minutes per game. In an era that generally sees said players between 28 and 34, that hasn’t exactly been appreciated by those around the Association.

In saying that, Thibodeau won 64.7 percent of his games with the Chicago Bulls and led the Minnesota Timberwolves to their only postseason appearance since 2004.

Tom Thibodeau wins. The question is: Will that be enough to convince Leon Rose to replace Mike Miller with Thibodeau as the next head coach of the New York Knicks?