The NBA shutdown has left every team in an awkward spot, but the Houston Rockets’ position may be a bit more confusing than most.
Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni’s contract is set to expire at the end of the NBA season, and no new deal is on the horizon. So what happens if the season restarts or continues beyond July 1, when that contract formally expires?
According to D’Antoni’s agent Warren LeGarie, that won’t be a problem.
“Mike is somebody with a lot of integrity and you make a commitment and you fulfill the commitment — regardless of if it goes past (the length of the deal),” LeGarie told Sam Amick of The Athletic. “It’s obviously something we have to work out, but he would never, ever walk away from what he feels is a moral responsibility to see it through with his team and especially with his players. He would never abandon somebody because of a technicality.”
Rockets GM Daryl Morey said the team has no concerns about D’Antoni’s commitment.
“I don’t want to go into any specifics, but I think that there’s not much needed (in terms of his contract),” Morey said. “That’s not always the case with everything during this 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.”
It’s full speed ahead for D’Antoni, who appears ready to coach despite the potential personal risks that could involve. The contract does not appear to be a stumbling block either. With the Rockets hoping to contend for a title, that’s going to come as a relief to the entire organization.
