Tom Thibodeau's current obligations to the Boston Celtics, who will face the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals tomorrow night, could be interfering with his future endeavors. Via Marc Stein of ESPN:
The New Orleans Hornets, who offered their vacant coaching job to Boston Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau last week, might hire someone else if Thibodeau has not accepted the job before Game 1 of the NBA Finals, according to sources close to the situation.
The Hornets don't want to let their coaching search drag beyond this week and plan to offer the job instead to Portland Trail Blazers assistant Monty Williams if Thibodeau, Boston's defensive specialist, doesn't accept by Thursday, according to sources.
The delay, according to sources, stems not only from Boston's ongoing postseason obligations but from Thibodeau's desire to see how serious the New Jersey Nets and Chicago Bulls are about hiring him. It remains unclear when or if the Bulls still plan to interview Thibodeau, but one source said Thibodeau did speak with the Nets before the Celtics left Tuesday for Los Angeles.
This could all just be bad timing for Thibodeau, but knowing him, his priorities will more than likely remain on how the Celtics will be defending the Lakers in the NBA Finals. If he does miss out on this job opportunity, hopefully another one, whether it be with Chicago, New Jersey, or another team, will open up for him.