Copyright MassLive
The Knicks inquired with a number of teams about their coaches this summer after firing coach Tom Thibodeau following their Eastern Conference loss to the Pacers. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was not mentioned among the team’s targets before New York went on to hire new coach Mike Brown but NBA insider Marc Stein reported Monday that the Knicks explored the possibility of trying to pursue Mazzulla this summer before he was given a multi-year extension in August. The 37-year-old Celtics coach responded to that report Tuesday and whether he got wind of the Knicks interest in an interview with Zolak and Bertrand on 98.5 the Sports Hub. “That never reached me,” Mazzulla said. “There is only one team that I want to coach: it’s the Boston Celtics. I’m going to be here for however long ownership and the city will have me. 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.” The Celtics did not release the terms on Mazzulla’s extension but Stein “hears” that it is a six-year pact, one year after Mazzulla led Boston to a championship. “We are very excited that Joe has agreed to extend with the Celtics,” Stevens said in August when announcing the deal. “He understands the job and has a passion for the Celtics that is only rivaled by our most die-hard fans. He’s worked hard and accomplished amazing things in his first three years as a head coach – including averaging over 60 wins per season and winning the 2024 NBA Championship. Joe is a gifted leader who brings a consistent commitment to learning, improving, and maximizing each day we get to compete for the Boston Celtics.” Mazzulla is set to begin his fourth NBA season as head coach in Boston on Wednesday night. He has assembled a 182-64 record over his first three regular season seasons.
