:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69426049/935440888.0.jpg)
The Portland Trail Blazers have shown interest in Brooklyn Nets Assistant Coach Mike D’Antoni to replace recently-fired Terry Stotts, according to ESPN’s Jordan Schultz.
Schultz added that the Nets will grant the Blazers, Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic interview requests for D’Antoni to fill their respective vacant coaching jobs.
Per league sources, #Nets assistant coach Mike D’Antoni is receiving interest for the #Blazers, #Celtics and #Magic HC jobs. The Nets will grant interview requests for D’Antoni — following the playoffs.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 9, 2021
The Blazers are yet to announce any targets to fill their Head Coaching job. President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey claimed yesterday that the team had not reached out to any candidates.
“There was no list getting released ... we don’t even have a list yet.”
“We have not reached out to a single candidate yet, not one. We haven’t reached out to a team to express interest or ask permission.”
The offensively minded D’Antoni was initially suggested as one of Portland’s candidates by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski an hour after Stotts and the team officially parted ways last Friday.
Among candidates expected to be considered for the Blazers opening, sources tell ESPN: Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups, Jeff Van Gundy, Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni, and Michigan’s Juwan Howard.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 5, 2021
The 70-year-old D’Antoni’s last head coaching position was with the Houston Rockets. He left that position at the end of the 2019-20 season. He has also led the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets.
D’Antoni is no stranger to Portland, spending the 2000-01 season with the Blazers as an assistant coach under Mike Dunleavy, Sr.