Phoenix Suns Interested In Mike D'Antoni As Possible Head Coach Replacement

Philadelphia 76ers associate head coach Mike D'Antoni officially accepted the position just 17 days ago, but he's already being linked to a possible head coaching position in the NBA.

According to ESPN's Marc Stein, if the Phoenix Suns were to can head coach Jeff Hornacek, they would look to D'Antoni as a possible replacement:

Fresh 2016 NBA bench rumble: There is active buzz in coaching circles that Mike D'Antoni will be on Suns' list if/when that job comes open

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 4, 2016

The 64-year-old D'Antoni spent six years with the Suns from 2002-2008, spending one year as an assistant before taking over the reins as head coach in the middle of the 2003 season. He amassed a record of 253-136 during his time with the Suns, twice leading them to the Western Conference Finals.

Phoenix is giving Hornacek a chance to turn things around, but the likelihood he does that look bleak. The team is currently 12-25, losers of their last nine games, and guard Eric Bledsoe is now out for the season with a torn left meniscus. There's not a ton to salvage there.

Philadelphia would obviously like to keep D'Antoni for as long as possible, although even when he took the job with the Sixers it seemed inevitable he would try to eventually parlay it into a head coaching position.

If the position in Phoenix is to open as expected, the Sixers may have to start making plans to find a new offensive coordinator.