New Orleans Pelicans Rumors: Tom Thibodeau Could Be The Team’s Next Head Coach

The New Orleans Pelicans are rumored to have a big target in mind for their next head coach — though the deal may have to wait a few weeks before it has a chance to come together.

Reports are suggesting that the Pelicans are planning on making a run at Tom Thibodeau, the embattled Chicago Bulls head coach. Even though his team is still in the midst of a playoff run, many insiders say the Bulls are ready to part ways with Thibodeau after the season ends.

As Nola.com noted, Thibodeau and the Pelicans have a bit of history together.

“League sources confirmed on Wednesday that the Pelicans are waiting to see if the Chicago Bulls and coach Tom Thibodeau are going to part ways. If Thibodeau is let go by the Bulls, he could possibly emerge as a candidate for the Pelicans’ job.

“In June 2010, Thibodeau was a finalist for the then-named New Orleans Hornets head coaching job with [Monty] Williams. But the franchise turned its attention to Williams after Thibodeau, who was a Boston Celtics assistant at the time, indicated he planned to pursue the vacant Bulls job, which he took.”

If the rumors are true, the New Orleans Pelicans could be a good fit for Tom Thibodeau. The team has a talented roster, with quite possibly the league’s next superstar in Anthony Davis, as well as a solid supporting cast of Tyreke Davis, Ryan Anderson, and Eric Gordon.

”I feel like we have a good core, obviously it’s centered around Anthony Davis,” said general manager Dell Demps. ”I think we have good players on this team and our goal is to keep going in the right direction. We haven’t begun the search yet, but we’re going to find the available candidate. I feel good about the direction we’re going.”

But the New Orleans Pelicans could have some competition. The Orlando Magic, another young team with a talented roster, are reportedly looking into Tom Thibodeau as well.

The Magic have been taking their time in finding a successor to the fired Jacques Vaughn, which the Orlando Sentinel explains could be because the team wants Thibodeau.

“The theory mentioned most often revolves around current Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. The league observers speculate that the Magic want to see whether the Bulls and Thibodeau will part ways after the Bulls conclude their playoff run.”

There is a chance that nothing comes of the New Orleans Pelicans rumors, however. Tom Thibodeau is still under contract with the Chicago Bulls, so if the team changes course and decides to keep him under contract then he may not be going anywhere.

[Image via Getty Images/Jonathan Daniel]