OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: Head coach Mike D'Antoni of the Houston Rockets reacts on the side of the court during their game against the Golden State Warriors during Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 08, 2019 in Oakland, California.

Rockets, D'Antoni had preliminary discussions on contract extension

7 years ago
Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni has had preliminary discussions with the club regarding a contract extension, he told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Sunday.

D'Antoni, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, has one year remaining on his current deal and prefers to have a new contract in place before the beginning of next season.

"I've let (general manager) Daryl (Morey) and (owner) Tilman (Fertitta) 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," the 68-year-old told Wojnarowski.

"I want to be part of a championship here."

D'Antoni originally agreed to a four-year deal with the Rockets in June 2016. His salary, around $4 million per year, is far less than some of the league's top coaches, including San Antonio Spurs bench boss Gregg Popovich, who reportedly makes $11 million a year.

Houston is 246-173 in D'Antoni's three seasons at the helm. The team fell one game short of the NBA Finals during the 2017-18 season, losing Game 7 of the Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors.

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