Mike D'Antoni will remain the Houston Rockets head coach despite being unable to agree to a contract extension, he said Thursday.
"We couldn't come to terms," D'Antoni told Fox 26 on Thursday. "I'm looking forward to next year with a lot of enthusiasm and we're gonna have a great year. I've got one year left with my contract and I'm real excited about coming back and coaching."
D'Antoni was seeking a contract extension to avoid lame duck status next season. ESPN reported Thursday the Rockets were willing to offer him a performance-based extension, but that didn't gain traction with D'Antoni.
D'Antoni told Fox 26 he doesn't have a problem coaching in the final year of his contract.
"There are no problems," he said. "It doesn't make me coach any different or have any more worries. So no it doesn't cause any problems."
The Rockets are 173-73 in three seasons with D'Antoni as head coach, and have won four playoff series after winning just three playoff series in the 19 seasons prior to his arrival. He was voted NBA Coach of the Year in 2017.