Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau would reportedly rather sit out next season and wait to be fired than help the franchise by accepting a trade.
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Thibodeau has maintained since the season ended for the Bulls that he considers himself the franchise’s coach until told otherwise, with speculation suggesting that the end may be coming soon.
Chicago were eliminated from the post-season by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, and reports over Thibodeau’s future have been rife.
It is understood that the Bulls want a commitment from their chosen replacement before they discuss a departure for their current coach, with both the Orlando Magic and New Orleans Pelicans both interested.
However, one thing that isn’t likely to happen is Thibodeau accepting a trade and he is reportedly willing to miss out on current openings in order to ensure that he makes the correct career move for himself.
“Speculation about Thibodeau being traded is just that. There is a feeling amongst insiders that Thibodeau will “not allow himself to be traded” to help the Bulls and will wait to be fired even if it means waiting and missing out on the current openings,” FanSided report.
Generally speaking, it is more likely that an interested party will pay a compensation package to the Bulls to let Thibodeau out of his contract which in turn then frees him up to sign a deal with them.
The Magic are considered the front-runners, while the Pelicans have also interviewed Golden State Warriors assistant Alvin Gentry for their vacant head coach position.
However, it appears as though there is a standoff in Chicago for the time being, with Thibodeau’s departure likely to set things in motion for a number of teams as the Bulls also continue to be linked with Gentry as well as Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg.
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