Knicks Rumors: Thibodeau Already Planning Ahead, Official Announcement May Come Soon

Tom Thibodeau is one of the leading candidates for the head coaching position of the New York Knicks. Though nothing has been made official, it appears the veteran coach is already planning for the future.

Reports are coming in that the 62-year-old mentor is using his spare time to watch past Knicks games. This could be an indication of things to come.

Thibodeau awaits the decision of the New York Knicks top brass on whether or not he will get the nod to be the next head coach. Mike Miller remains the interim coach of the club, but it appears new team president Leon Rose wants someone else to call the shots.

Other names who have been linked to the head coaching vacancy include Jeff Van Gundy, Mike Woodson, Mike Brown and Jason Kidd.

But from that list, Thibodeau is the favorite to be the next Knicks head coach. If so, he will be tasked to reform the New York squad, which has endlessly tried to rebuild the past years. Should he be appointed, the first order of business is to figure out who stays and who goes.

The team does have a bunch of young promising stars, including RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle. They also have a couple of veterans in Elfrid Payton and Maurice Harkless, who may finally flourish with proper guidance.

Of the names mentioned, it appears Thibodeau thinks highly of Mitchell, particularly on defense, NBC Sports reported.

Thibodeau reportedly has close ties with Rose, a reason why he is the favorite to land the job. It may only be a matter of time before that is made official. From the previous names who were interviewed for the job, Kidd reportedly impressed Knicks' management. But it appears that is not enough to put him in front of the heap as Thibodeau remains the favorite to win the position, Marc Berman of the New York Post reported.

The Knicks are unable to plan until a new head coach is installed. Several names have been mentioned as targets, an effort to come up with a decent roster for next season.

New York has a lot of young talent but still lack a bonafide franchise player to lead the charge. That should be the Knicks' next order of business once the new head coach has been named.