Orlando Magic Rumors: Orlando Magic willing to meet Chicago Bulls’ demands for Tom Thibodeau
The rumors connecting the Orlando Magic to Tom Thibodeau continue to build. A new reports suggests the Magic are willing to meet Thibodeau’s demands.
The Chicago Bulls moved one step closer to elimination in the NBA Playoffs last night with a a 106-101 loss at Quicken Loans Arena to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The series is far from over with a decisive Game Six in Chicago on Friday.
The Bulls could easily come back and win the series in seven or could lose Friday or lose again in Cleveland. Anything can happen. The Bulls are playing well enough that any result could occur.
The Orlando Magic have been patiently waiting, apparently holding off their coaching search waiting for Tom Thibodeau to become available. The New Orleans Pelicans might be doing the same after firing Monty Williams on Tuesday.
There is one catch though.
Thibodeau still has two years remaining on his contract with the Bulls. He is not officially on the coaching market yet. The Bulls are not just going to let an asset like him go without asking for compensation — not until they absolutely have to. The question is whether they will be able to stomach waiting any longer with Thibodeau as their head coach or if they are truly desperate to get rid of him.
So the question for the Magic when the time comes is whether they are willing to pay the Bulls’ price just to talk to Thibodeau and then meet his salary demand.
Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders reports: Yes, yes they are:
"Thibodeau has two years remaining on his contract, which makes an outright firing somewhat unrealistic, especially with the number of would-be suitors for his coaching services. The Orlando Magic are said to be in a holding pattern, waiting on the outcome of Thibodeau’s situation. Sources close to the situation say not only would the Magic give the Bulls compensation (likely a second-round pick or two) for the chance to get at Thibodeau, sources also said the Magic would meet the expected $7-8 million per year coaching salary Thibodeau likely commands in his next deal."
That is quite a demand from Thibodeau in salary. But for a coach of his caliber may very well be worth that much.
It also makes you wonder how much influence Thibodeau would wield over the roster with that kind of a salary. The important thing for the Magic is to find a good partner for Rob Hennigan to work with and keep everyone on the same page.
The Magic have not even had the opportunity to talk to Thibodeau. They will not get one until the Bulls are eliminated from the Playoffs (no one else will either) and then it will cost them a couple second round picks to do so.
Some team is going to be willing to pay that price to talk to him and pry him away from the tumult of his situation with the Chicago Bulls.
Orlando may very well be that team. The Magic are certainly waiting and willing — even after the Pelicans’ fired Williams. Maybe New Orleans’ coaching search will push Orlando out of the way. If that is the case, the Magic might be better off moving on. But they do not know that for sure.
And so they wait.