Tom Thibodeau -200 Odds-on Favorite to Become Next Knicks Head Coach; Kenny Atkinson +700
- Well travelled Tom Thibodeau has become odds-on favorite to be the New York Knicks’ next head coach
- Former Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson is at odds +700, as he will likely also be getting interviewed
- See the full odds board and who’s worthy of a bet in the story below
The New York Knicks have been looking for a permanent head coach since the departure of David Fizdale several months ago. The betting markets have fluctuated, but the search for a new coach is set to move to the next stage, with the organization aiming for a decision in the next few weeks, per The Athletic.
Leon Rose, the Knicks’ president of basketball operations, faces the biggest decision of his tenure so far, as he looks for a coach that can bring stability on and off the court to a franchise that has changed coaches on an almost annual basis in recent years.
As the NBA continues to discuss plans to restart the season, it remains unclear whether the Knicks have any more games to play. If they do return to the court, interim coach Mike Miller (who is a candidate for the permanent job) is expected to lead the team.
New York Knicks Next Head Coach Odds
| Coaching Candidate | Odds |
|---|---|
| Tom Thibodeau | -200 |
| Mark Jackson | +350 |
| Mike Miller | +600 |
| Kenny Atkinson | +700 |
| Jeff Van Gundy | +1200 |
| Mike Woodson | +1200 |
| Patrick Ewing | +2500 |
| Becky Hammon | +3000 |
| Pat Riley | +7500 |
| Phil Jackson | +15000 |
Odds taken May 28th
Thibs Heavily Favored
Since being fired by the Minnesota Timberwolves after a tumultuous spell with the franchise, Thibodeau has been linked with the Knicks job.
He checks the big-name box, and would bring experience to a job that could prove too daunting for many less travelled candidates.
The Knicks swung and missed in free agency once again last offseason, seeing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving join their cross-city rivals. Zion Williamson went to the Pelicans and Anthony Davis became a Laker. The Knicks are an irrelevance in the NBA Championship odds, and while Thibodeau’s appointment won’t change that immediately, he brings a track record of success that could appeal to Rose.
The search for a brighter future begins with Tom Thibodeau. pic.twitter.com/pxFQVbBgpg
— Knicks Nation (@KnicksNationCP) May 27, 2020
Thibodeau made the Chicago Bulls a legitimate contender, and he broke the Timberwolves’ playoff drought. It is worth noting, of course, that those teams featured legitimate star-level talent that the Knicks do not have.
The appeal of Thibodeau is clear, but his reputation for over-working his players and grinding them down, does not fit with the rebuilding job the Knicks are (once again) embarking on.
He could give them an immediate surge up the standings, but is the benefit of that worth it with the low ceiling of this roster?
Atkinson’s Upside
Atkinson’s time with the Nets was an example of the strange phenomenon that is NBA team building. He pulled the franchise from the abyss, from a 20-win mess to a playoff team.
His work earned respect around the league and led to the arrival of Irving and Durant, but subsequently led to his departure in March with the Nets below .500 and locker-room issues cropping up.
Deservedly so, Atkinson is now considered one of the league’s leading developmental coaches. He’s also got history with the Knicks, having been Mike D’Antoni’s assistant.
The Knicks have a young core in RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, Kevin Knox and Frank Ntilikina. The first two should be their long-term building blocks, while there’s upside in Knox and Ntilikina. Atkinson developed several players with the Nets, and his appointment would be an investment in the future, a commitment to Robinson and Barrett.
Miller Factor
Miller is at a shorter price than Atkinson at +600, and according to The Athletic, will be given the opportunity to interview for the job, too.
He has impressed during his short stint since replacing Fizdale, improving the team with a 17-27 run following Fizdale’s abysmal 4-18 start to the year.
Given the pressure of the job, Miller remains an outsider, though it’s probable he stays in the organization in some capacity. At shorter odds than Atkinson, however, it’s hard to see there being much value.
Thibodeau at -200 doesn’t look a great bet. His approach doesn’t necessarily fit with the way the Knicks should be going.
Pick: Kenny Atkinson (+700)
Sam Cox is a freelance writer and sports junkie, who has spent the past several years immersed in the online gaming industry. He has worked with 888sport, Oddschecker, and Colossus Bets to name a few. Based in the UK, Sam also runs Franchise Sports with his brother.
