The gulf between the Rockets and coach Mike D’Antoni in talks on a contract extension appear significantly greater than described Thursday or than could be bridged.

The contract offer made to D’Antoni was considerably smaller than the $5 million that had been depicted by owner Tilman Fertitta and general manager Daryl Morey in a hastily called news conference Thursday, according to D’Antoni’s agent, leading to the decision to turn it down and coach next season in the final year of his current contract, which pays $4.5 million.

Warren LeGarie said that the Rockets’ offer would not be worth $5 million in the 2020-21 season if the Rockets failed to make the playoffs or D’Antoni was fired during the season.

“I’d like clear up some inaccuracies that were stated about the offer made to Mike,” LeGarie said. “The reported $5 million is really $2½ million because it comes with contingencies. One, it’s only $5 million if he makes the playoffs and two, if he is coaching the team at the end of the year.

“If they decide to fire Mike in the proverbial change of direction, he gets $2.5 million. If there is an injury or a change in the roster construction, of which Mike has no control, he nonetheless would become a victim of it.”

Morey confirmed LeGarie’s description of the offer, but otherwise declined to comment about the negotiations.

LeGarie also said the $1 million bonus for each round of the playoffs the Rockets reached in that season would begin with the second round.

The Rockets’ base salary offer, even if considering it to be $5 million, is well shy of other recent contracts for veteran coaches such as Terry Stotts or Dwane Casey. If considered to be $2.5 million, it is less than for recent first-year coaches Nick Nurse or James Borrego, though with a chance to earn more.

LeGarie emphasized D’Antoni was in no way “insulted” by the offer.

“We’re not here to criticize the offer,” LeGarie said. “We’re here to choose whether or not to accept it. We chose based on the current market for coaches of his stature as well as what he has done for the Rockets, the offer did not make sense for him, though I’m sure it makes sense for the Rockets. We don’t consider the offer insulting. It’s still real money.

“But it is our right not to take it.”

Assuming negotiations with D’Antoni do not resume, the Rockets would move on to talks to retool the coaching staff, starting with the pursuit of an associate head coach to succeed Jeff Bzdelik.

With D’Antoni in the final season of his contract, some coaches could be hesitant to make a move, even with a promotion, while under contract, but Morey is confident there will be a good deal of interest in the positions open.

Asked specifically about Elston Turner, a former Rockets assistant who is greatly respected around the league and someone the Rockets interviewed for the head coaching position after Rick Adelman did not return, LeGarie said it would be premature to speculate if that would be a good fit.

Turner was most recently the assistant head coach on Dave Joerger’s staff with the Sacramento Kings.

“There’s been no discussion, other than I was told they like him,” said LeGarie, who also represents Turner.

jonathan.feigen@chron.com