Interestingly, Rajon Rondo joins the Knicks head coach

Jay Williams suggested Rajon Rondo as the head coach of the New York Knicks after Tom Thibodeau was fired.

The New York Knicks' search for a new head coach continues to rise after Tom Thibodeau was fired on Tuesday. One of the latest mentions is former NBA point guard Rajon Rondo, who ESPN analyst Jay Williams recommended on Wednesday's "Get Up" show.

Williams acknowledged Rondo lacked formal head coaching experience, but stressed that Rondo won respect from the entire league with his superb basketball IQ and leadership.

"Guys, I'm going to pick a dark horse, and I'm sure everyone will react to it because he doesn't have head coaching experience," Williams said. "But if you ask any NBA player what he thinks about Rajon Rondo, they always say how high he has a high ball quotient and is good at on-the-spot response on both defense and offense. Ask Doug Rivers what championships he has won." Rondo, 38, played for the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers and several other teams in 2024 during his 16-year NBA career. He has won the NBA championship twice - one with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and the other with the Lakers in 2020. His career honors include four All-Star selections, one NBA All-Squad third team, five All-Defensive Team, and a number of statistics titles, including three assists and one steal.

The Knicks weighed their choices after Tom Thibodeau was fired, and Rajon Rondo's coaching interest emerged again.

Williams noted that given Rondo's knowledge of the Eastern Conference and his potential to improve Jaylen Brunson's game level, he has potential value for the Knicks.

"I'm not saying he'll win," Williams added, "but I absolutely think that given his familiarity with the Eastern Conference and his ability to help defenders like Jaylen Brunson, people should consider making him the NBA head coach at this level."

Rondo had previously expressed his coaching intentions, but in order to focus on raising children, he postponed his formal coaching plan. He attended Doug Rivers and the Milwaukee Bucks training camps as a visiting coach before the 2024-25 season, and is expected to stay with the team all year round.

Tibodeau coached for five seasons, with a regular season record of 226 wins and 174 losses, and a playoff record of 24 wins and 23 losses. During his coaching session, the team made four playoffs and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000. Previously, he served as assistant coach for former Knicks head coach Jeff Van Gundy from 1996 to 2001.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst also mentioned Van Gundy on Wednesday's Get Up show, suggesting that the Knicks should consider a reunion with Van Gundy.

As coach selection unfolds, Rondo joins the Knicks' growing list of candidates, and the Knicks are exploring their next plans.