The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly interested in Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau, according to the Huffington Post’s Jordan Schultz.
Thibodeau remains under contract with the Chicago Bulls with two years and $9-million remaining on his deal, but the two sides are widely believed to be parting ways this off-season.
The league-wide sentiment is that the Bulls will likely seek a draft pick as compensation for voiding Thibodeau’s contract. If Thibodeau is made available to sign with another team, the Lakers would not be the only suitors. The New Orleans Pelicans and Orlando Magic are also believed to be interested in the 2010-11 NBA coach of the year, although the Pelicans are exploring other options after firing Monty Williams.
Kobe Bryant has been vocal in his admiration for Thibodeau, and openly stated last off-season that he wished to be united with the coach in Los Angeles. The Lakers reportedly reached out to the Bulls during their head-coach search last summer, but ended up hiring Byron Scott. The Lakers finished the 2015 season with an underwhelming 21-61 record under Scott, who did not enjoy the most stable of relationships with his players.
In his five-year NBA career, all of which has been spent with the Bulls, Thibodeau holds a 255-139 record in the regular season to go along with a 23-28 playoff record.
