PHOENIX, Arizona (AFP) — Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni, whose team was ousted in the first round of the National Basketball Association playoffs, will interview for coaching vacancies in New York and Chicago.
The Arizona Republic reported Monday that D'Antoni will talk with the Bulls and New York Knicks about taking charge of their teams after the club gave its blessing for such contact.
"As we have continued to convey, we value Mike D'Antoni as the head coach of the Phoenix Suns and would like him to continue leading this basketball team," the Suns said in a statement.
"Because he has requested to speak to other teams about their head-coaching vacancies, we have granted him permission."
Suns general manager Steve Kerr refused to back D'Antoni with a vote of confidence during the NBA playoffs, saying only that the coach would be evaluated in the off-season.
The newspaper reported that relations have been strained between Kerr and D'Antoni since an argument last November and Kerr might want D'Antoni to have the chance to find another job before a possible ouster.
Should D'Antoni take another job, the Suns would be freed from contract obligations to D'Antonio worth 8.5 million dollars over the next two seasons.
The Suns were ousted from the first round of the Western Conference playoffs by the defending champion San Antonio Spurs while the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls both failed to qualify for the Eastern Conference playoffs.
It was the first playoff exit for Phoenix in the opening round since 2003.
D'Antoni has a 253-136 record in more than four seasons guiding the Suns, who are among the NBA's top-scoring clubs with a playmaking style but have been thwarted in their bid for an NBA crown.
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