While Tom Thibodeau is not at all believed to be retained as head coach of the Chicago Bulls, it appears that Thibodeau has a job waiting for him if that should be the case.
The Orlando Magic are still void of a head coach since letting go of Jacque Vaughn. Their short list of candidates featured Thibodeau along with Skott Skiles and Billy Donovan, who is now of course in Oklahoma City. Interim coach Scott Borrego is expected to interview for the job, and Mike Malone is reportedly interested in the position.
But the Magic are rumored to be holding out on moving forward with any decisions until they know exactly what’s to come of Thibodeau in Chicago, reports Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel:
The theory mentioned most often revolves around current Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. The league observers speculate that the Magic want to see whether the Bulls and Thibodeau will part ways after the Bulls conclude their playoff run….
League observers caution that Thibodeau’s hire by the Magic would not be a given even if Thibodeau becomes a coaching free agent.
Thibodeau was reported to be looking for other coaching options, barring what seems to be his inevitable fate with the Bulls. But I’m curious how the Bulls’ success during this playoff run may or may not impact Thibodeau’s future. Will things change if the Bulls get past the Cavaliers? If they reach the Finals?
In this case, it still doesn’t seem like Thibodeau is coaching for his life, because if things go left over the next few weeks for Chicago, the Magic will apparently have their arms wide open.