Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla Makes One Thing Clear After Shocking Rumors

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla made his stance clear when asked about offseason rumors linking him to the New York Knicks — he’s not going anywhere.

“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, addressing a report from NBA insider Marc Stein that the Knicks had quietly gauged his availability last summer.

After parting ways with Tom Thibodeau despite New York’s first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years, the Knicks reportedly made discreet inquiries to determine if Mazzulla could be pried away from Boston.

“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 wrote Monday. “There obviously was not … and then the Celtics extended Mazzulla’s contract in August.”

The Knicks ultimately hired two-time NBA Coach of the Year Mike Brown, but the rumor underscored how Mazzulla’s stock has skyrocketed after guiding the Celtics to the 2024 NBA Championship — their league-record 18th title.

“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 coaching my kid’s soccer team or something like that.”

---

Thibodeau Visits Celtics Practice, Offers Insights

The timing of Stein’s report coincided with a surprising guest appearance at Celtics practice — former Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, who spent time sharing film and strategic insights with the Boston staff.

“I think that was awesome having Thibs,” Celtics star Jaylen Brown told reporters. “Obviously, they eliminated us last year, so him being able to give us some of the thoughts that he saw in that series and some of the stuff they broke down in our personnel helps us grow and learn from that.”

According to Brown, Thibodeau dissected film with him, Jayson Tatum and Mazzulla, offering insight into how New York successfully defended Boston during key playoff moments.

“From a team perspective and from a top-down perspective — what he wanted to do with me and Jayson, what he wanted to do when the ball was in my hands — it allows you to grow if you’re humble enough to listen,” Brown added.

---

Mazzulla Welcomes Thibodeau’s Championship Pedigree

For Mazzulla, the visit was more than just a film session. It was a homecoming of sorts for Thibodeau, who served as Doc Rivers’ defensive coordinator when the Celtics’ “Big Three” — Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen — delivered the franchise’s 17th championship in 2008.

“He won a championship here — just having him around makes me better, makes our organization better,” Mazzulla said. “It’s a lot of respect for him.”

Thibodeau’s return offered a full-circle moment between two coaches bonded by Boston’s defensive heritage and shared emphasis on accountability.

---

Boston’s Future Without Tatum, Holiday, and Porziņģis

While Mazzulla’s loyalty isn’t in question, his next challenge will test his coaching mettle. The Celtics face a pivotal season without  Tatum (Achilles) and veterans 

Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis, both traded in the offseason as part of the team’s long-term cap flexibility plan.

Mazzulla’s extension — finalized in August — signals Boston’s confidence in his leadership as the franchise transitions into a new era built around Brown and 

Derrick White.

The NBA champion coach has repeatedly cited his three guiding principles that keep him grounded amid outside noise.

“It’s faith, family and the Boston Celtics,” Mazzulla said firmly.