The New York Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau after their season ended in the Eastern Conference finals, and fans know the 67-year-old doesn't want to be away from basketball for long. There are no other head coaching jobs open around the league, but Thibodeau could join a team like the Lakers as an assistant coach.
JJ Redick became Los Angeles' new coach last offseason, marking his first official coaching job in the NBA after spending 15 seasons in the league as a player. The Lakers sought a new voice after firing Darvin Ham and found it in Redick, whose basketball IQ is off the charts. Redick's first season with the Lakers went well, although there were hurdles along the way, but that was expected.
Rob Pelinka and LA are focused on the upcoming draft and free agency. The Lakers need to upgrade the roster, starting with a center to pair alongside Luka Doncic. Adding an assistant to Redick's staff isn't a priority, but one thing Los Angeles also needs to consider is bringing Thibodeau to Hollywood.
While the veteran coach waits for his next head coaching opportunity (assuming one will arise), he could spend his time finding ways to elevate the Lakers' defense and maximize the roster.
What's next for Tom Thibodeau after Knicks fired him?
Los Angeles made the trade of the century before February's deadline, acquiring Luka Doncic. He's one of the best scorers in the league, but his defense, on the other end, is a different story. It's what motivated the Mavericks to make the trade because "defense wins championships," which is true, but doesn't justify Nico Harrison's abhorrent decision-making.
Redick did well at integrating Doncic on both ends of the floor after the midseason trade, with the timing being a significant challenge in itself. The stakes are only growing higher, though, with the Lakers' push to win another title with LeBron James in a stacked conference. Doncic isn't LA's only defensive concern, as Redick also has to manage LeBron and Austin Reaves' defensive weaknesses.
The head coach added former Hawks coach Nate McMillan to his staff last summer, who, like Thibodeau, is also known as a defensive-minded head coach. Thibodeau wasn't available when Redick constructed his staff, but he is now. He's someone who has been around the game for a long time, and his voice could help the Lakers reach the territory they so desperately want to return to.