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Front Office May Fire Tom Thibodeau After All NBA Coaching Vacancies Are Filled

By Paul Steeno

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A recent report from NBC Sports suggests that the Chicago Bulls front office is planning to keep Tom Thibodeau under contract until all NBA head coaching vacancies are filled, and then get rid of him after that. This is an attempt to ensure that Thibodeau stays jobless next season. This report not only legitimizes the reported irreparable tension between Thibodeau and the front office but also ruins the Bulls’ plan of attack for hiring a new head coach this off-season.

An unnamed source cited by Chicago Sun-Times writer Joe Cowley suggested that the Bulls front office hasn’t seriously engaged in trade talks involving Thibodeau. The original plan of attack was to trade him to another team and get draft picks back in return. But, this plan has apparently gone by the wayside.

"The league source said they [Bulls front office] were asking for outrageous demands for the rights to the coach, knowing that there would either be no takers or one that would simply overpay."

With a recent report indicating that the Orlando Magic are planning on hiring Scott Skiles as their head coach, New Orleans and Denver remain the only two NBA cities with a head coaching vacancy. However, even if these positions fill up the proposed strategy imposed by the Bulls front office could quickly backfire. Chicago Sun-Times writer Joe Cowley notes a scenario that would be the Bulls “worse nightmare”.

"With the feeling in Cleveland that the Cavaliers are winning in spite of coach David Blatt, what LeBron James wants, LeBron James gets. If the four-time MVP wants a coaching change after the playoff run ends, Thibodeau would be an ideal option."

These reports coming from NBC Sports and the Chicago Sun-Times contradict the course of action that the Bulls were going to take to deal with the head coaching situation. Ken Berger of CBS Sports laid out the Bulls’ original plan of attack pertaining to their head coaching situation in a May 15th column.

"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."

According to Berger, Thibodeau won’t quit and forfeit the $9 million remaining on his coaching contract that expires in two years. The front office won’t fire him, because they are looking for compensation from other teams in the form of draft picks. Obviously, the Bulls only get compensated if Thibodeau remains the property of the team. Also, if these head coaching positions are filled before the Bulls front office does anything with Thibodeau, the Bulls would have nobody to trade with even if they change their minds.

May 12, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts in the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Another important piece of the puzzle is the fact that the Bulls front office won’t entertain compensation offers from other teams until they have secured a replacement for Thibodeau. The desired compensation in a trade involving Thibodeau would be draft picks and not a new head coach. Therefore securing a head coach prior to fielding offers becomes compulsory. If the Bulls front office ultimately decides to fire Thibodeau after the head coaching positions are all filled, it would be a clear sign that their priorities aren’t straight. This move would indicate that spiting a coach that damaged their fragile egos is more important than doing what is best for this team.

Sep 29, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls general manager Gar Forman during media day at the Advocate Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Thibodeau would prefer to stay in Chicago and it is unlikely that he will simply quit and walk away from the organization. After the Bulls were eliminated from the playoffs on May 14, Thibodeau told CSN Chicago how he was approaching the off-season knowing his job is on the line. 

"Until they tell me I’m not, I expect to be here. So, that’s the way I’m approaching it."

With Thibodeau holding out until the bitter end, the Bulls are likely going to have to fire him, thus paying the remainder of his contract valued at approximately $9 million across two years. The other option would be trading him. However, as previously mentioned, the Bulls front office hasn’t seriously engaged in trade talks meaning the Bulls are unlikely to receive compensation for their current head coach through a trade which is obviously a problem.

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In addition, by waiting for these other teams to pick head coaches, the Bulls will likely put their own head coaching search on temporary pause, potentially robbing themselves of a candidate that best fits their team. The Bulls won’t be able to definitively commit to a coach until all other head coaching vacancies are filled. This could take awhile and could deter coaches from wanting to come to Chicago.

Pippen Ain’t Easy writer Michael Whitlow

explained how the Bulls could end up screwing themselves over if the Bulls front office decides to wait for all head coaching positions to be filled before getting rid of Thibodeau and naming a new head coach.

"Let’s say current Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg decides that he doesn’t want to jump to the NBA and Adrian Griffin, a current Bulls assistant and head coaching candidate, decides to bolt from Chicago, what are the Bulls going to do?"

The actions of the Bulls front office are outrageous and unjustifiable. General manager Gar Forman and Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson continue to let their egos dictate how they run this team. The terrible tandem continue to undermine and disrespect one of the NBA’s best coaches and have put themselves in a situation where the team suffers because of their ego-driven actions. The Bulls could end up without a suitable head coach and the blame will rest squarely on the shoulders of those two men.

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