Arguably the best free agent coach in the NBA is about to come off the market.
Former Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau is close to a signing mega five-year, $50 million contract to become both the head coach and president of basketball operations of the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to multiple reports.
Sources: Minnesota is engaged in serious talks with Tom Thibodeau to become President of Basketball Ops and coach, with Scott Layden as GM.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 20, 2016
Tom Thibodeau is finalizing a five-year deal to become president and coach of the Timberwolves, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 20, 2016
NBA sources say Tom Thibodeau is closing in on a five-year pact in the $10 million range annually to become coach/president of the Wolves.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 20, 2016
The deal would return Thibs to the place where his NBA coaching career began, as he worked as an assistant there from 1989-1992. Here’s glorious photographic evidence:
Prodigal son returning. pic.twitter.com/INGZqd2zRX
— Steve Aschburner (@AschNBA) April 20, 2016
Thibodeau played college basketball at Salem State University and immediately became an assistant there upon graduation before being promoted to head coach in 1984.
In addition to his stint with the Wolves, Thibodeau had worked as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics before getting his first head coaching gig with Chicago in 2010.
If the reported contract terms are true, Thibodeau would become only the third coach in the NBA to make an eight-figure salary, joining Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers and San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
UPDATE (6:25 p.m. ET):Â Thibobdeau joining the Timberwolves is all but a formality, according to the Associated Press’ Jon Krawczynski.
BREAKING: AP Source says Tom Thibodeau has signed contract and is the Timberwolves coach and President of Bball ops
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) April 20, 2016
Thumbnail photo via Kamil Krzaczynski/USA TODAY Sports Images
