Mike D'Antoni's coaching job is one that hinges on his team's ultimate success, as an NBA source deems him to have a “slim” chance to be the Houston Rockets head coach past this season, according to The Athletic.
D'Antoni is perhaps the only name of a shortlist of coaches that could lose their jobs to have a winning record at 15-7, but it's his dynamic with the front office and ownership that has ultimately put him in the hot seat.
“Barring a Rockets championship that could spark a kumbaya healing of sorts and inspire Fertitta to open his wallet to meet that sort of moment, a source with direct knowledge of these dynamics expressed serious skepticism that D’Antoni would return after this season. To be more precise, the chances – per the source – are currently seen as “slim.” This shouldn’t surprise anyone considering the context here.”
Owner Tilman Fertitta offered the first palatable taste of how he plans to run this team, going in and out of extension negotiations with D'Antoni — originally intending to offer him an incentive-based year-to-year job to remain the coach of the team, making $500,000 less than the highest-paid free agent coach Monty Williams, even if he triggered all his bonus stipends.
Fertitta is going to run the organization with an iron fist and a tight pocket, already having rewarded general manager Daryl Morey for getting the Rockets out of the tax last season with a contract extension.
The owner and GM have been verbally supportive of D'Antoni, but have yet to put their money where their mouth is — considering he's been the most successful coach in team history, having won more than 70% of his games at the helm.
Follow Us
Subscribe