With employers such as the Chicago Bulls, who needs enemies?
CBS Sports is reporting that the exit of coach Tom Thibodeau, while imminent, may not occur with any kind of haste.
Tom Thibodeau says that Bulls management will have to be the one to end the relationship with him
After the Bulls were eliminated from the playoffs with their 94-73 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Thibodeau said he was not quitting and forfeiting the $9 million and two years left on his contract.
He said he'll remain the Bulls coach until the Bulls tell him they don't want him.
Tom Thibodeau job in jeopardy even if Bulls had won the title?
That won't happen, according to CBS Sports, until Chicago management has a post-Thibodeau plan mapped out.
"On the other side of this contractual and psychological tug of war are Bulls GM Gar Forman and VP John Paxson, who at this point will not fire Thibodeau and let him walk to another NBA city without compensation. In fact, multiple league sources told CBSSports.com Friday that the Bulls' front office isn't even compelled to engage in compensation talks with any teams that are interested in their coach until they have a commitment from a replacement who excites them, multiple league sources told CBSSports.com."
The report said that Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg is at the root of those contingency plans.
"Atop that list is Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg, who league sources say would check all the boxes for the Bulls, including fixing the team's inconsistent -- and against the Cavs in Game 6, ineffective - offense," CBS Sports added. "But with Hoiberg only two years into a 10-year, $20 million deal with the Cyclones -- and with strong family roots in Ames and having undergone recent heart procedures -- there is strong doubt among NBA front office sources that he'd be inclined to make the jump."
The interesting - and dangerous - part of the tact the Bulls may be taking is that the longer this goes, the more likely Thibodeau is to stay in Chicago in 2015-16. How would that play out?
Who will coach the Bulls in 2015-16? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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