Mike D’Antoni On Coaching Again: ‘Too Young To Rule Anything Out’

Former NBA coach Mike D’Antoni is 70-years old but that’s not slowing his dreams of potentially returning to the sideline.

Currently, D’Antoni is serving in an advisory role for first-time head coach Willie Green with the Pelicans. Last year, D’Antoni was a lead assistant with Steve Nash and the Nets.

Before that, he was the head coach of the James Harden-led Rockets for four years. He has also coached the Knicks, Lakers, Nuggets and the “24 seconds or less” Suns when Nash was the point guard.

What’s next? Well, D’Antoni said he isn’t quite sure, though from the sounds of things in an interview with Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, he’s open to trying again.

“Willie’s been great to work with,” D’Antoni said. “We talk and it’s great having a dialogue. He’s doing a phenomenal job. I enjoy it for right now. I try to add what I can. It’s all good.

“We’ll see [about next season]. I’m not ruling it out. Too young [at 70 years old] to rule anything out.”

D’Antoni has compiled a 627-572 record in 16 seasons overall. Over the past several seasons, he reportedly has been in the running for former openings with the Pacers, 76ers and Trail Blazers.

The only team with a “vacancy” at this point is the Kings, though interim man Alvin Gentry is likely to have the rest of the season to try to secure the full-time gig.

But this is the NBA, and more coaches will certainly part ways with their current teams between now and the start of next season. When it happens, you can be sure D’Antoni’s name will pop up, somewhere, once again.