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Mike D’Antoni is seeking a contract extension with the Houston Rockets.
ESPN story on Houston and Mike D'Antoni beginning extension talks. “I’ve let [Rockets] know that I’m energized to keep coaching --- and believe that I can continue to do this at a high-level for at least another three years," D'Antoni, 68, tells ESPN. https://t.co/S5z2YYgMDs
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 20, 2019
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, D’Antoni has begun preliminary discussions with the Rockets and is “energized to keep coaching.”
D’Antoni, 68, will enter the final year of his four-year contract in 2019-20, which is usually where the buck stops for most head coaches in recent memory.
D’Antoni’s predecessor, Kevin McHale, coached the Rockets from 2011-15 and was fired 11 games into his fifth season.
Rick Adelman was shown the door after four seasons in Houston, the same as Jeff Van Gundy.
Granted, none of those coaches have enjoyed the same success as D’Antoni.
MDA holds a 173-73 record in his first three seasons and has the highest winning percentage among head coaches in franchise history.
He’s also led the Rockets to at least one playoff series win in each of his three seasons.
The Rockets are addressing the coaching staff early this offseason, notably with the firing of Jeff Bdzelik yesterday, and it appears the team might be looking to work out the possibility of retaining their head coach.