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.
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:
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.
Thumbnail photo via Kamil Krzaczynski/USA TODAY Sports Images
