D'Antoni won't return as Rockets head coach

Mike D'Antoni is leaving the Houston Rockets after four seasons as their head coach.

"It's with tremendous sadness and gratitude that my wife Laurel and I announced that our incredible journey in Houston has ended for now and that we'll be moving to a new chapter," D'Antoni confirmed in a statement to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. "Our time here was among the most memorable experiences of our lives."

D'Antoni informed the organization Sunday that he would not return, sources told Wojnarowski.

He's reportedly expected to be a candidate for the Philadelphia 76ers' vacant head coaching position.

The 69-year-old turned down a contract extension ahead of the 2019-20 campaign, which allows him to become a free agent this offseason. D'Antoni's decision to leave comes fewer than 24 hours after he told reporters he hoped to return, stating he couldn't have asked "for a better situation" than he had in Houston.

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said earlier in September that re-signing the veteran bench boss would likely be their top priority ahead of next season.

D'Antoni tallied a 217-101 regular-season record in Houston and went 28-23 in the playoffs. He led the squad to three Western Conference semifinals plus a trip to the conference finals in 2017-18.

Houston's season came to an end Saturday following their Game 5 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

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