After five seasons where he dragged the New York Knicks back into relevancy, head coach Tom Thibodeau has been relieved of his duties.
Despite having the backing of Jalen Brunson and leading them to their best finish since 1999, Thibodeau is on the outs, prompting speculation as to why he was let go.
Fans seemed to think that Karl-Anthony Towns had something to do with it, and an NBA executive seems to agree with them.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Jan 10, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shakes hands with New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau as he exits the game during the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden.
© Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Thibodeau and Towns have already worked together, and it's an open secret that KAT helped orchestrate Thibs' exit from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The two paired up again in New York, although only for one season.
“Who was on the Timberwolves when Thibs got fired in 2019?" an unnamed executive asked HoopsWire. "Who is KAT’s former agent (Leon Rose)? I wouldn’t be surprised at all if KAT told Leon and Dolan during his exit interview that he didn’t want to play for Thibs anymore."
Rose made it clear that the team believes they are close to winning a title next season, although they want a change of sideline leadership. Thibodeau emphasizes defense and effort, and it sounds like Towns didn't buy into the established culture.
"They don’t have a good relationship," the executive said of Towns and Thibodeau. "Thibs likes guys who defend at a high level and take accountability on that end. KAT has never done that. He doesn’t want to. He wants to save his energy for offense.”
Of course, after a lackluster Eastern Conference Finals series against the Indiana Pacers, it stands to reason that Towns' cache with the front office would be at an all-time low, although if the report is true, it suggestest that Towns is in New York for the long haul, and the front office is totally enamoured by him.
Check out the All Knicks home page for more news, analysis and must-read articles