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With the NBA coaching carousel in full effect, countless Raptors fans are wondering if general manager Bryan Colangelo will fire Sam Mitchell or stick by the coach he rewarded with a four-year contract extension last summer. Earlier this week during exit interviews Colangelo assured reporters that Mitchell would be back at the helm next season. With three-years and $12 million still owed to Mitchell combined with the reassurance by Colangelo that he was sticking with his current head coach, it temporarily squashed any speculation about the future of the embattled head coach.

However, Mitchell’s job security could change in a heartbeat if rumours are correct and Phoenix relieves Mike D’Antoni from his role as head coach of the Suns. While it is merely speculation at this point, Sports Illustrated is reporting that D’Antoni has coached his last game in Phoenix. If D’Antoni were to become available, many who follow the team assume it would make Mitchell’s future as the Raptors head coach uncertain. Due to D’Antoni’s close relationship with Colangelo and an impressive record as an NBA head coach of 267-172, it appears a lock that the Raptors would at least look at bringing him in to replace Mitchell next season. Would they actually pull the trigger? That’s hard to say at this point but it seems a given that Colangelo would at least look at the possability of bringing D’Antonio into the fold.
 
Despite guiding the Raptors to the postseason the past two seasons and completing the first year of a four-year deal it would be foolish to think Mitchell could keep his job if a coach like D’Antoni were to become available. Even though Mitchell is just one year removed from being named Coach of the Year his resume pales in comparison to D’Antoni’s. During four years as head coach of the Raptors Mitchell has complied a won-loss record of just 148-180, has yet to guide to Toronto to more than 50 wins in a season, and has been unable to get the Raptors out of the first round. D’Antoni, on the other hand, has guided Phoenix to at least 54 wins the past four seasons and has won more than 60 games twice during that span. While Phoenix has yet to advance to the NBA Finals during D’Antoni’s tenure, they have advanced out of the first round the previous three seasons and went as far as the Conference Finals during the 2005-06 season.

Further adding fuel to the flames of speculation is D’Antoni’s European background which makes him a perfect mix for the international roster Colangelo has assembled. Anthony Parker and Maceo Baston are American born players who have played overseas while Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon, Jorge Garbajosa, Carlos Delfino, Rasho Nesterovic and Primoz Brezec all hail from countries outside of North America. The idea of hiring a coach many of these players watched play during their childhood would be quite the coup for this franchise.

With Raptors fans clamoring for a change I wouldn’t be surprised to see the team bite the bullet financially by replacing Mitchell with D’Antoni. Mitchell is owed $12 million and the rumored buyout would be $9.5 million. However, if Mitchell were to secure another coaching gig, and it’s safe to assume he would be able to do that this summer, then the Raptors would be off the hook for any money they owe him. While this would be a calculated gamble, it may be one Colangelo would be willing to take if he could bring a coach like D’Antoni into the mix in Toronto.

Besides, even if Mitchell wanted to sit at home and collect his pay cheques what’s another $12 million to a corporation like Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment when they are flush with money and plan to acquire a European soccer club?

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