Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla made it clear this week that he’s not going anywhere — even as rumors surfaced that the New York Knicks quietly explored his availability last offseason.
“That never reached me. There is only one team that I want to coach: it’s the Boston Celtics,” Mazzulla said Tuesday, according to NBC Sports Boston, responding to a report from NBA insider Marc Stein.
According to Stein, after parting ways with Tom Thibodeau despite guiding the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years, New York executives tested the waters to see if Mazzulla could be lured to Madison Square Garden.
“It has also been whispered that the Knicks likely did some backchannel exploration to determine if there was any pathway to pursue Boston’s Joe Mazzulla,” Stein reported. “There obviously was not … and then the Celtics extended Mazzulla’s contract in August.”
It’s Boston or Nowhere
The Knicks ultimately moved forward with two-time NBA Coach of the Year Mike Brown, but the report underscored how highly regarded Mazzulla has become after leading Boston to the 2024 NBA Championship.
“I’m going to be here for however long ownership and the city will have me,” Mazzulla said. “There is no other team that I’m coaching. It’s here or I’m going to coach my kid’s soccer team or something like that.”
Knicks’ Mazzulla Interest Highlights Desire for New Offense
Getty Head coach Mike Brown of the New York Knicks’ new offense will be tested early in the season.
While the Knicks’ reported interest never materialized into formal talks, it revealed how far Mazzulla’s stock has risen since taking over in 2022. The 37-year-old Rhode Island native was initially promoted under turbulent circumstances following Ime Udoka’s suspension — yet within two seasons, he delivered Banner No. 18 to Boston and became one of the youngest coaches in NBA history to win a title.
For the Knicks, Mazzulla represented the type of modern, analytics-driven coach who could build on the defensive foundation Thibodeau had established while unlocking the team’s offensive potential around Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges.
Instead, the Celtics locked him up long-term, sending a clear message that he’s the franchise’s cornerstone for the future.
Thibodeau’s Visit Adds Twist to Knicks-Celtics Rivalry
Ironically, Stein’s report came just days after Thibodeau — freshly separated from the Knicks — attended a Celtics practice session in Boston.
“I think that was awesome having Thibs,” Jaylen Brown told reporters. “Obviously, they eliminated us last year, so him being able to give us some thoughts from that series — some of the stuff they broke down in our personnel — helps us grow and learn.”
According to Brown, Thibodeau spent time with him, Jayson Tatum, and Mazzulla reviewing film from the playoff matchup where New York’s defensive schemes stifled Boston’s offense in key moments.
“From a team perspective — what he wanted to do with me and Jayson, what he wanted when the ball was in my hands — it allows you to grow if you’re humble enough to listen,” Brown added.
Mazzulla, who has often cited Boston’s 2008 championship staff as a blueprint for his coaching style, welcomed Thibodeau’s visit.
“He won a championship here,” Mazzulla said. “Just having him around makes me better, makes our organization better. It’s a lot of respect for him.”
Knicks Move On, Celtics Double Down
The Knicks may have missed their shot at Mazzulla, but the speculation speaks volumes about his reputation across the league. Even after Mazzulla was outdueled by Thibodeau in the last playoffs, the Celtics doubled down on him with a new extension — removing any doubt about his future in green.
Meanwhile, New York has entered a new era under Mike Brown, who faces the challenge of pushing the Knicks beyond the conference finals for the first time since 1999.
All eyes will be on Madison Square Garden on Friday when the Celtics face the Knicks, as Mazzulla and Brown go head-to-head in a matchup intensified by the latest coaching rumors.
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