Rockets owner leaving D'Antoni's future in Morey's hands

Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta is satisfied with the job Mike D'Antoni has done over the past four seasons, but he's leaving D'Antoni's future in the hands of general manager Daryl Morey.

"I think I have one of the NBA's great coaches in Mike D'Antoni," Fertitta told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. "And I think I have one of the best basketball ops groups, Daryl and his whole team. Personally, I love Mike. But I'm going to leave it up to the general manager.

"I surely would like to have Mike back. If Daryl wants to have Mike back, I'm sure Mike is going to be back."

D'Antoni's contract is set to expire at the end of the 2019-20 campaign. He and the Rockets were reportedly nearing an agreement on an extension in June 2019, but talks eventually broke down.

A two-time NBA Coach of the Year, D'Antoni joined Houston in June 2016. He's guided the club to a 213-97 record, including a league-best 65 wins during the 2017-18 campaign. The Rockets have also won at least one playoff series in each of their postseason appearances under D'Antoni.

Despite that success, the 69-year-old is one of the NBA's most underpaid coaches. D'Antoni's current deal reportedly pays him $4.5 million annually.