REPORT: Pacers could target Mike D’Antoni to replace Nate McMillan

Mike D'Antoni, Nate McMillan, Pacers
Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

The Indiana Pacers have been rumored to be considering moving on from head coach Nate McMillan after the season. While no one knows how serious those considerations are, it is interesting to think about. It appears that Mike D’Antoni could end up being a potential replacement.

According to a report from Jonathan Tjarks of The Ringer, D’Antoni could be targeted to be the Pacers’ next head coach.

If the team does decide to move on, one name I have heard as a potential replacement is Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni.

D’Antoni would be a very intriguing fit for the Pacers. He is a much more offensive-minded head coach than Indiana has had in a long time. That could be exactly what the franchise needs.

While the Rockets still have D’Antoni under contract, he is in the final season of his deal. He has also reportedly had a clash with the team’s ownership. That could lead to the two sides splitting and D’Antoni being available for the Pacers.

Other rumblings have indicated that Pacers’ star shooting guard Victor Oladipo doesn’t want to play for McMillan. If the franchise is asked to choose between the face of their team or the head coach, it puts Kevin Pritchard in a rough place.

Needless to say, it is going to be interesting to see what ends up happening with the Pacers this coming offseason. Replacing Nate McMillan with Mike D’Antoni would make a ton of sense.

Indiana may be in for some major changes in the near future. A coaching change could just be the start of a small overhaul. D’Antoni coming to the Pacers may not excite a ton of fans, but it would be a good fit for guys like Domantas Sabonis, T.J. Warren, Malcolm Brogdon, and Oladipo.

Expect to see the Pacers have a fairly active offseason even with a very small amount of cap room.

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