The Chicago Bulls may be growing more willing to take the financial hit required to rid themselves of head coach Tom Thibodeau.
Though terminating Thibodeau now - two years before his contract expires - would leave the Bulls on the hook for nearly $9 million, sources told ESPN's Marc Stein it's a cost they're increasingly amenable to swallow given the irreparable relationship between coach and team.
There have been some strange and conflicting reports surrounding the Bulls' planned course of action regarding Thibodeau. Earlier this week, there was speculation that if Chicago couldn't find a suitor willing to cough up a compensatory draft pick in exchange for Thibodeau, they'd wait to fire him until all other coaching vacancies have been filled.
Meanwhile, there's a growing belief in NBA coaching circles that Thibodeau may end up staying on as Bulls coach if a deal can't be worked out, according to CBS Sports' Ken Berger. And things haven't exactly gotten off to a rollicking start on that front.
The Bulls are willing to grant any interested team permission to speak to Thibodeau, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. To this point, none have come calling, despite a plethora of reports linking Thibodeau to New Orleans, Orlando, and Los Angeles.
It may simply be the Bulls' reported demand for compensation has scared teams off, but it's surprising none have taken the risk-free step of feeling the coach out before deciding whether he's worth the price.
The New Orleans Pelicans have long been considered the frontrunners for Thibodeau's services, but it appears their interest was either overblown to begin with or has recently cooled.
From Berger:
As for New Orleans, there's a strong feeling in NBA coaching circles that (general manager) Dell Demps is reluctant to partner with Thibodeau - a talented, defensive-minded, strong-willed coach - after having a similar experience with Monty Williams.
The Pelicans appear to be moving on from Thibodeau as they've reportedly already interviewed Jeff Van Gundy, and have received permission to interview Golden State Warriors assistant Alvin Gentry.
Incidentally, Gentry is also considered a strong candidate for the Bulls job, assuming the Thibodeau mess gets sorted out. That may be only a matter of time, as several Bulls players have been told Thibodeau won't be coaching them next season, according to Sean Deveney of The Sporting News.
And in perhaps the most bizarre bit of speculation, Deveney reports some league sources believe the Pelicans' interest in Van Gundy and Gentry, as well as the Magic's reported dalliance with Scott Skiles, are decoys designed to goad the Bulls into cutting ties with Thibodeau.
If true, this is what a high-stakes game of chicken looks like.
