Will Tom Thibodeau Accept the Hornets’ Offer?

According to The Times Picayune, New Orleans is set to make a formal offer to the heralded assistant coach, in an effort to steal him away from Boston: “After completing an extensive head coaching search that involved interviewing eight candidates, the New Orleans Hornets are expected to extend Boston Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau a contract offer later this week to become their next head coach, league sources confirmed Monday night. There is no indication yet whether Thibodeau will accept. The Chicago Bulls have asked the Celtics for permission to interview him for their vacancy, and he also is a candidate for the New Jersey Nets’ job. Thibodeau and Portland Trail Blazers assistant Monty Williams, 38, were considered to be the front-runners for the Hornets’ job. The Hornets started interviewing candidates May 4, when they met with New Orleans native and former Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson and Mavericks assistant Duane Casey in Dallas. Thibodeau, who has never been a head coach before, is considered to be a defensive mastermind and spent 19 seasons as an assistant. Thibodeau, 50, is one of the highest paid assistants in the league. Initially, the Hornets’ job was speculated to be Johnson’s. But, a source said, Thibodeau emerged in his interview earlier this month in Boston, and the Celtics’ defensive success in the playoffs also was a significant factor.”