NBA Rumors: Sixers' Interest In Mike D'Antoni Linked To Potential Bid For James Harden

The possibility of Mike D'Antoni taking the head coaching job in Philadelphia is looking more imminent as speculation emerged that the Sixers' interest in the former Houston Rockets mentor could be linked to a potential bid to sign James Harden.

Sources close to NBC Philadelphia’s John Clark claim the Sixers have placed D’Antoni on their radar for reasons more than just coaching, and that there is a significant belief among members in the organization that the American-Italian could provide them a head start in the pursuit of the 2018 NBA MVP.

“I’m hearing one of the reasons along with coaching that Sixers have a lot of interest in Mike D’Antoni is feeling with some in (the) organization that he could help lure James Harden to Philly,” Clark wrote on Thursday.

“Harden can become a free agent in 2 years and there is a possibility of a trade.”

D’Antoni taking his lethal connection with Harden for a new franchise seems fascinating. But while it may look good on paper, Bleacher Report’s Tyler Conway thinks turning the assumption into reality is irrational, especially with the 69-year-old already setting his sights towards retirement.

“D'Antoni is 69 years old. When negotiating an extension with the Houston Rockets last May, he said he wanted to coach two or three more seasons—which included 2019-20 at the time,” Conway wrote.

“Even if D'Antoni is reinvigorated and wants to prove himself deeper into his 70s, he isn't in a position to wait around two years on the possibility someone might follow him to Philly.”

The two-time NBA Coach of the Year has done a remarkable job in his four-year stint with the Rockets. And though his tandem with Harden never generated titles for Houston, the records on display still suggest that their run was a success.

A previous report revealed that D’Antoni has been among the top candidates for the Sixers’ vacant job along with Los Angeles Clippers assistant and champion coach Ty Lue. Ex-OKC Thunder coach Billy Donovan had also been part of the shortlist before he was tapped to replace Jim Boylen in Chicago last Tuesday.