The Athletic: Mike D'Antoni as a candidate

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Résumé
Considered one of the godfathers of the pace-and-space era.
Holds a career record of 672-527 in 16 seasons as head coach with five teams. Has reached the postseason in 10 of his 12 full seasons, including three trips to the Western Conference Finals. Still hasn’t reached the NBA Finals.
Two-time NBA Coach of the Year (2005, 2017)
Teams have finished with a top-5 offensive rating in eight of his 12 full seasons. Only coached one team that finished with a top-5 defensive rating (2011-12 Knicks).
During his full seasons, he coached players who won: three MVPs (Steve Nash twice and James Harden), two Sixth Men of the Year (Eric Gordon and Leandro Barbosa) and one Most Improved Player Award (Boris Diaw)
Played four seasons in the NBA before moving on to have a legendary career playing professionally in Italy

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Why it makes sense

It still feels strange to consider the possibility of D’Antoni being on the open market after the success he’s had in his four seasons with the Rockets and the way his influence has shifted the game. But if Houston decides to let him walk, there will be no shortage of suitors looking to gauge his interest. Instead of going after someone to fix New Orleans’ defensive issues, perhaps they should go all-in on becoming a turbo-powered, high-flying offensive juggernaut. It’s difficult to win at the highest level without a multi-layered attack capable of putting up big numbers. With the assortment of young talent New Orleans already has secured — including a once-in-a-generation kind of talent in Zion Williamson — D’Antoni has the tools he needs to build that kind of attack. And he’ll have a bit of a head start because most of the players will have at least a year under their belt with former Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry, a proud alum of D’Antoni’s “Seven Seconds or Less” school. The Pelicans were already No. 5 in 3-pointers made last season and No. 7 in 3-point percentage with high-level paint scorers like Williamson and Brandon Ingram to balance the floor. The Pelicans have also been top-3 in pace each of the past three seasons. In several ways, you can see how this team was built to be molded by someone with a mind like D’Antoni’s. But as he enters the twilight of his career, does the 69-year-old want to go through the ups and downs of coaching a team led by a couple of guys who haven’t hit their 25th birthdays yet?

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Biggest strengths
One of the greatest offensive minds the NBA has ever seen. Has led some of the most productive scoring attacks in the league over the last 20 years
Unafraid to lean into the strengths of his best players and adapt his scheme around those abilities. Understands how to get the most from role players with limited skill sets
Players respect him because of his revolutionary style of coaching and winning track record. His teams are always attractive landing spots for free agents because of the freedom he allows on offense.
Became one of six active coaches with 50 or more playoff wins after Houston’s first two wins in its first-round series against Oklahoma City this year. He knows how to prepare his team for the postseason.
An innovator who has always been ahead of the curve as the league has gone through different evolutions

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Biggest questions

Does D’Antoni want to coach a younger team or would he rather land with teams like Brooklyn or Philadelphia that give him a better shot at a title immediately?
Will Pelicans owner Gayle Benson be willing to spend big on D’Antoni if he’s looking for a major payday?
Should the Pelicans go after a younger coach who can grow with the team?
Will he do what it takes to solve some of the Pelicans’ defensive woes?
Will he have the patience to develop inexperienced players like Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaxson Hayes?

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