Suns GM denies report about D'Antoni

Apr 30, 2008 - 3:58 PM PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Phoenix Suns general manager Steve Kerr has denied a report that coach Mike D'Antoni is stepping down.

Sports Illustrated reported on its web site Wednesday that D'Antoni feels he does not have the support of upper management - specifically owner Robert Sarver and Kerr - and will likely part ways with the club.

"There's no truth to that (that D'Antoni is stepping down)," Kerr told the Arizona Republic on Wednesday. "I asked Mike when the story came out and he denied it. Mike's our coach and has done a great job for four years. We'll get together soon and talk about where this team can go from here."

The 2004-05 NBA Coach of the Year, D'Antoni did not discuss his future after the sixth-seeded Suns were eliminated from the playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.

According to the Sports Illustrated report, D'Antoni believes his relationship with Kerr has spiraled downward all season he indicated that a meeting with management would be pointless at this time.

D'Antoni isn't expected to be fired, as he has two years and $8.5 million left on his contract, but it is clear that something may have to change.

Kerr has publicly been supportive of D'Antoni in recent months.

However, as it became apparent this week that the Suns postseason was coming to an end, Kerr would say only that evaluations would be made after the season - a stance that may have something to do with his coach's frustration.

D'Antoni is 232-96 in four full seasons with the Suns and has advanced to the Western Conference finals twice.