Former Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has been spending time with the Thunder coaching staff during the preseason this year. In an interview, Thunder head coach Daigneault said he admires Thibodeau.

He asked to come on board and stay with our coaching staff and management," Daigneault said. He's obviously taking the year off and traveling around. I admire him very much. It takes a lot of humility to put yourself in a position like this for a coach who has had as much success as he has and has lasted as long as he has."

"He's always been good to me and we have a great relationship, but this is the longest time we've spent together and I'm grateful to him."