The Houston Rockets tried multiple times before the 2019-20 season to secure a contract extension with head coach Mike D’Antoni, but those on-again, off-again discussions didn’t result in an agreement.
D’Antoni is now in the fourth and final year of the contract he signed in 2016 to become Houston’s head coach. According to GM Daryl Morey, the Rockets would love for their partnership with D’Antoni to continue after this season, but that could depend on offseason negotiations.
In a Q&A with Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, Morey says:
Q: You mentioned the front office is as you want it. How much of a priority is it, or not, to bring back this coaching staff beyond this year?
A: Coach D’Antoni is one of the best all-time coaches, in my opinion. To me he’s like one of those players in the past that hadn’t quite won the title yet. I’m hoping this is the year for him. He’s one of the all-time great innovators and a great partner. I’d love for it to keep going. It takes two to tango, but we’re going to figure that out in the offseason.
New #Rockets at #TXSN – Q&A: Daryl Morey on Rockets' title window, responding to critics, keeping Mike D'Antoni https://t.co/Q10mnc6ju6
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) April 1, 2020
Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta indicated during training camp that he regretted the public nature of last summer’s talks. Thus, the Rockets may try to keep future discussions closer to the vest.
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D’Antoni has won 213 games and lost 97 over four regular seasons with the Rockets, with his .687 winning percentage the best of any coach in team history. He turns 69 years old in May, but D’Antoni said last summer that he wants to keep coaching “for at least another three years.”
D’Antoni has a record of 23-16 (.590) in three playoff runs, making for the top playoff winning percentage in franchise history. The Rockets have won at least one playoff series in all of his completed seasons.
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