The agent for Mike D'Antoni contends that the offer his client received from the Houston Rockets was considerably smaller than the $5 million that was depicted by Tilman Fertitta.
The final season of his current contract pays $4.5 million.
Warren LeGarie said that the Rockets’ offer would not be worth $5 million in the 20-21 season if the Rockets failed to make the playoffs or D’Antoni was fired during the season.
“I’d like clear up some inaccuracies that were stated about the offer made to Mike,” LeGarie said. “The reported $5 million is really $2.5 million because it comes with contingencies. One, it’s only $5 million if he makes the playoffs and two, if he is coaching the team at the end of the year.
“If they decide to fire Mike in the proverbial change of direction he gets $2.5 million. If there is an injury or a change in the roster construction, of which Mike has no control, he nonetheless would become a victim of it.”
LeGarie also said the $1 million bonus for each round of the playoffs the Rockets reached in that season would begin with the second round.
“We’re not here to criticize the offer,” LeGarie said. “We’re here to choose whether or not to accept it. We chose based on the current market for coaches of his stature as well as what he has done for the Rockets, the offer did not make sense for him, though I’m sure it makes sense for the Rockets. We don’t consider the offer insulting. It’s still real money. But it is our right not to take it.”