Jan 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau talks to guard Josh Hart (3) during the second quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden. Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Ex-Pelican Josh Hart Reacts to Knicks Firing Tom Thibodeau

Originally posted on New Orleans Pelicans on SI
By Matt Guzman | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 3:27 PM ET

Josh Hart is sort of an NBA journeyman.

After being drafted by the Utah Jazz and immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Hart spent a season with LeBron James before he was shipped to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the Anthony Davis deal that won James his fourth NBA title.

Since then, Hart left New Orleans for Portland in a deal that brought C.J. McCollum to the Pelicans and then again in a deal with the Knicks that sent Cam Reddish to the Trailblazers. Now set to enter his ninth season in the league, it seems he's found a more permanent home in New York.

The same can't be said of the coach who arrived to the Knicks just a couple of years before him.

.@nyknicks Announce Coaching Change pic.twitter.com/XhWOUSwWvn
— NY Knicks PR (@NY_KnicksPR) June 3, 2025

In a surprising move Tuesday afternoon, the Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau after five years at the helm. Thibodeau's tenure came with controversy; his rotations were a unique fixture of his coaching style.

The Knicks simply felt it best to have a new voice lead the locker room.

Breaking: Knicks are relieving Tom Thibodeau as head coach, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/OQMKGmGl9K
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 3, 2025

"Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans," Knicks president Leon Rose said. "This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we've decided to move in another direction."

Following the announcement, Hart took to social media to express his praise for his former coach. "Forever Grateful," he wrote. "Thank you!"

Forever Grateful Thank You! https://t.co/a81D5SST1d
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) June 3, 2025

In his five seasons, the Knicks advanced to the playoffs four times and won at least one series thrice — a feat only accomplished twice since the 1999-00 season prior to Thibodeau's arrival.

Fresh off a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, New York is now set for a coaching reset, though they hope to build on the momentum behind Jalen Brunson, Hart, and Karl-Anthony Towns rather than start from scratch.

That may end up being more difficult than it seems.

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

"We can't thank Tom enough for pouring his heart and soul into each and every day of being the New York Knicks head coach," Rose said. "He led us not only with class and professionalism for the past five seasons, but also to tremendous success on the court.

"Ultimately, we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward."

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This article first appeared on New Orleans Pelicans on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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