It seems to be a foregone conclusion that Tom Thibodeau has coached his last game with the Bulls, citing multiple sources throughout the league.
But one of the game's best coaches doesn't figure to be out of work for long. The New Orleans Pelicans are the only team in the league without a current head coach, while Denver and Orlando have head coaches who finished the year on an interim basis.
With that in mind, Bovada revealed their initial odds for where Thibodeau will be coaching on game 1 of the 2014-15 NBA season.
| TEAM | ODDS |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 1/1 |
| Orlando Magic | 5/2 |
| Chicago Bulls | 3/1 |
| Any other NBA team | 4/1 |
| Not an NBA head coach | 5/1 |
New Orleans makes the most sense, as getting the chance to coach the game's fastest rising star in Anthony Davis would be at the top of Thibodeau's list. According to Chicago Tribune's KC Johnson both parties have interest in one another, but if the Bulls are looking for compensation in exchange for Thibodeau the Pelicans may not be willing to bite. The Pelicans interviewed Warriors assistant Alvin Gentry on Monday.
Orlando is budding with young talent, too. Last season its top five scorers were 24 years old or younger, and that's not including last year's No. 4 overall pick Aaron Gordon. They also have the fifth best lottery odds and are guaranteed a top-8 pick in next month's draft.
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Then there's the Bulls. As bad as the rifts between the front office and Thibodeau have gotten, it's not easy to let go of a coach who has won 255 games and three playoff series in five seasons. Thibodeau is still cream of the crop in terms of NBA coaches, and the Bulls are likely better off keeping him than if they let him go.
The "any other team" scenario is an interesting one, as Denver is still searching for a replacement for interim Melvin Hunt. Also, Cleveland may part ways with head coach David Blatt at season's end. Wouldn't that be something for Thibodeau, who has been knocked out by LeBron James in three of the last five playoffs, team up with the game's best player? Thibodeau also has ties with Kyrie Irving, who he coached on Team USA this past summer.
Johnson also reported in the linked story above that Thibodeau may sit out the year (5/1 odds) and wait for a job to open up next season, potentially in Los Angeles with the Lakers.