Finding the ideal match for each remaining NBA head coaching vacancy

The Indiana Pacers should hire Mike D’Antoni.

Mike D’Antoni’s name has been thrown around with every team searching for its next leader, but none makes sense from a roster-construction standpoint the way that the Indiana Pacers do. This team is jam-packed with gritty, hardworking athletes, most of whom are capable of playing an up-tempo style and spacing the floor.

In the past, D’Antoni has guided his floor generals to view the game from a whole new perspective. He was influential in helping James Harden reach the next level of his career. With the Phoenix Suns before that, D’Antoni’s system helped Steve Nash win back-to-back MVP trophies. That’s not to say he’s going to do the same thing here, but Pacers point guard Malcolm Brogdon is a perfect fit for D’Antoni ball.

One of the most underrated players in the game, Brogdon is one of the best game managers in the sport today with a keen passing repertoire and impressive three-level scoring upside. During his final season in Milwaukee just a year ago, Brogdon joined the 50/40/90 club before joining the Pacers on a sign-and-trade deal. If placed in D’Antoni’s system, Brogdon could ascend to All-Star territory as early as next season.

That’s really saying something because the Pacers have two players who’ve made All-Star games in recent years with Domantas Sabonis and Victor Oladipo. The structure of this team runs deep with committed defenders throughout the roster who know what it means to play hardnosed basketball. He’d have a weapon like he’s never had before in Pacers center Myles Turner, a shot-blocking extraordinaire who can launch long-balls like a guard.

The personnel is in place for a D’Antoni-styled offense that could legitimately gain homecourt advantage next season if everything breaks right. Former head coach Nate McMillan led Indiana to the postseason every year since 2017 before getting fired.

The Pacers probably wouldn’t have moved off of him unless they were aiming for a head coach that could thrust them into the next stratosphere. It was a ‘go big or go home’ type of move and D’Antoni fits the bill as a replacement.