Indiana Pacers head coach Nate McMillan has been fired, the team announced early Wednesday morning.
“On behalf of the Simon family and the Pacers organization, I’d like to thank Nate for his years with the team. This was a very hard decision for us to make; but we feel it’s in the best interest of the organization to move in a different direction. Nate and I have been through the good times and the bad times; and it was an honor to work with him for those 11 years (in Indiana and Portland).”
Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard said.
McMillan went 183-136 in four seasons with the Pacers, finishing second in the central three times. Indiana made the playoffs all four years, but never advanced past the first round, being swept three of the four years, including this year at the hands of the Miami Heat.
Exactly two weeks ago to the day, Indiana signed McMillan to a one-year extension. Now the Pacers are expected to turn to Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni, should he become available.
On top of McMillan’s firing, SNY’s Ian Begley reported teams will now make a strong effort to trade for Pacers star Victor Oladipo who is in the final year of his contract.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium was the first to report the news of McMillan’s termination.
