After the departure of Terry Stotts, rumors have been swirling about who would replace him as head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. Another name has come up in recent days: Mike D’Antoni, who is currently an assistant for the Brooklyn Nets and the former head coach of the Houston Rockets. According to Sam Amick of the Athletic, a source reports that D’Antoni has a very real interest in the job.
But as this process begins, and with so many believing the quality of this hire will impact the organization’s future with franchise centerpiece Damian Lillard, there’s a counter-intuitive name to add to the conversation whose coaching profile likely eclipses any of the forthcoming candidates: Brooklyn assistant coach Mike D’Antoni.