Mike D’Antoni and the Houston Rockets were unable to reach an extension last summer, leaving many to wonder if he’ll be back with the team after this season. Some experts believe D’Antoni will be on his way out after this campaign, but team owner Daryl Morey is focusing on the here and now.
D’Antoni’s contract with Houston will expire in July. He’s led the Rockets to a 40-24 record this season (5th in Western Conference), which was suspended back in March due to ongoing concerns with the coronavirus pandemic.
Morey says he and D’Antoni have talked throughout the league’s coronavirus hiatus, but will the two be able to come to an agreement for the future?
“I don’t want to go into any specifics, but I think that there’s not much needed (in terms of his contract),” Morey told The Athletic. “That’s not always the case with everything during this (sort of) time. I know the league lawyers are having to work on a thousand things with different legal aspects, and the Players Union and stuff. But in this case, I think things are pretty straightforward.
“I’ve talked to Mike pretty much daily throughout this (pandemic period), and we’re both excited to get going and excited to win the title. All of us recognize this is an odd time where everyone is figuring (things) out as they go along. Now part of everyone’s job in a senior leadership role is to understand what contracts say and things like that as well, but in this case there’s a mutual feeling (of), ‘Look, let’s — like we’ve had all year — let’s have a great year and then let’s figure things out.’ And we’re still full speed ahead on that front.”
Although he’s 69 years of age and at greater risk of contracting COVID-19, D’Antoni has said that he would be willing to return to the sidelines if this season resumes. For now, the former Marshall Thundering Herd star is sheltering in place at his home in Houston.
The Rockets plan to reopen their practice facilities at the Toyota Center on Monday for individual player workouts. Per the NBA’s reopening policies, head coaches aren’t yet allowed to attend workouts yet.
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