Report: Thibodeau wants Knicks job, 'would crawl' to MSG

With a coaching vacancy in a big market, the big names are being circulated.

The New York Knicks' surprise dismissal Monday of Derek Fisher has Tom Thibodeau reportedly licking his chops at the opportunity, according to ESPN's Ian O'Connor.

"The Knicks are the job he's always wanted. He would crawl to Madison Square Garden," O'Connor quotes a source as saying.

Thibodeau has kept a low profile since parting ways with the Chicago Bulls last spring. The defensive specialist had been linked to openings with the New Orleans Pelicans and Brooklyn Nets, but it's thought the prominence of the Knicks' job would be right in Thibodeau's wheelhouse. He's also known to be a big fan of Carmelo Anthony, having worked with him through USA Basketball and an attempt to recruit him to the Bulls in 2014.

Related: Walton, Shaw reportedly candidates for Knicks' coaching job

It isn't known if or how Knicks president Phil Jackson - long a proponent of the triangle offense - would embrace the defense-first philosophy of Thibodeau, but the idea is sure to have New York basketball fans talking in coming days.

Thibodeau compiled a 255-139 record in five seasons as Bulls coach, winning the 2011 NBA Coach of the Year award.