Report: Tom Thibodeau could be Pelicans candidate if fired by Bulls

Tom Thibodeau could be a candidate to become the next head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans if he is fired by the Chicago Bulls, John Reid of The Times Picayune reports.

Tom Thibodeau could be a candidate to become the next head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans if he is fired by the Chicago Bulls, John Reid of The Times Picayune​ reports. 

The Pelicans fired head coach Monty Williams on Tuesday after five seasons and general manager Dell Demps told reporters Wednesday that the search for his replacement has not yet begun. 

From Reid's report: 

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.

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Rumors that Thibodeau could be leaving the Bulls have been swirling for over a year. In January 2014, Thibodeau denied a report that he would coach the New York Knicks in the 2014–15 season. "That stuff's ridiculous," he said. This January, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reported that Thibodeau's relationship with Bulls management is "beyond repair."

Thibodeau was a candidate to become New Orleans's head coach in 2010 but instead took the Bulls job. He has led Chicago to the playoffs in each of his five seasons and was the NBA's Coach of the Year in his first year. 

- Dan Gartland