Mike D’Antoni will join 76ers coaching staff, per report

Mike D’Antoni has agreed to terms with the 76ers to become their associate head coach, according to The Inquirer’s Keith Pompey.

D’Antoni is considered to be a brilliant offensive coach and the 76ers are dead last in offensive efficiency for the third season in a row. Bringing in someone who can help on that end makes sense but it’s unlikely D’Antoni makes an immediate impact, as Philadelphia’s struggles seem to be more related to a lack of offensive skills up and down the roster than anything else.

The 76ers announced a contract extension for head coach Brett Brown earlier this month. The extension eased concerns about D’Antoni being brought in to replace Brown, according to Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, who also stated that Brown was involved the talks leading up to the hire. Associate head coaches are not rare -- the Bulls and Kings have them, for example -- so the move could have very little effect on Brown’s job security.

The addition of D’Antoni would represent the second high-profile hire the 76ers have made in a short period of time, following Colangelo’s. Public opinion on the direction the franchise had decided to go had deteriorated lately, as Sam Hinkie’s rebuilding plan hasn’t yet resulted in a franchise player. By bringing in these big names, the ownership group can calm those concerns by signaling a willingness to speed up their rebuilding effort in the next offseason.