The Indiana Pacers weren’t the only team getting swept out of the playoffs this season, but they are the second to fire their head coach. Nate McMillan was relieved of his duties after the Miami HEAT ousted the team from the first round.
McMillan was in the final year of his contract and had a team option for 2021-2022.
With a new vacancy in Indiana, the franchise will look towards Mike D’Antoni as a candidate, or a number of “program builders” moving forward.
Nate finished 183-136 as coach of the Pacers, but only 3-16 in the playoffs.
Indiana was swept out of the playoffs two years in a row, though injuries to Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis played a huge part in that.
Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni — in the final year of his contract — will be an Indiana target should he become available, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2020
D'Antoni isn't an inexpensive hire and that'll be a question for Pacers and small market teams with league revenue stagnant in pandemic: How far will they go to pay a coach? Indiana also plans to search pool of those they'd consider 'program builders' over long-term, per sources.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2020
With a deep squad and tons of potential, the Pacers are looking to get over the hump in the postseason and make it past the second round for the first time since 2014. There might be some roster revamping, but they have the pieces.
Official Statement: pic.twitter.com/l9kMqiYEXh
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) August 26, 2020