The Houston Rockets have moved on from Stephen Silas as their head coach, and they have a pivotal decision to make for the future of their franchise.
While we don’t yet know who will take over for Silas next season, this may be one of the most enticing jobs available on the market. They have a very intriguing young core, including Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, and loads of usable cap space and draft assets as well.
Plus, they have among the highest odds to potentially win the lottery and select top prospect Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Put all of that together, and Rockets executive Rafael Stone believes this is an “attractive” destination for head coaching candidates (via Rockets Wire):
“I think this is a very attractive situation,” Stone said at Monday’s press conference on the coaching change. “Based on my phone ringing today, I think a lot of other people do, too.”
Now that the Toronto Raptors have officially parted ways with Nick Nurse, his name will come up a lot in these conversations.
Here is more on Nurse and ten other intriguing candidates for Houston:
1
Nick Nurse (ex-Raptors coach)
Former Toronto head coach Nick Nurse, who won an NBA championship in 2019 and was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2020, recently shared comments suggesting he would re-evaluate his future with the organization at the end of the season.
The Raptors were eliminated during the play-in tournament and will not advance to the postseason, and the Rockets are reportedly “monitoring” the decision. He is a “strong candidate” for their head coaching vacancy.
Nurse was the head coach of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Houston’s G League affiliate, from 2011 until 2013. He led the team to win two titles, winning coach of the year in the development league in 2011.
2
Kenny Atkinson (Warriors assistant)
Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson, who was offered the head coaching position with the Hornets last offseason, was the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 until 2020.
According to Jonathan Feigen, Atkinson could fit the profile for what the Rockets would like to see in their next head coach (via Houston Chronicle):
“The Rockets hoped to be the sort of hard-playing, tenacious team during a rebuild that Atkinson led with the Nets. A former Rockets assistant under Jeff Van Gundy, Atkinson is in his second stint on Steve Kerr’s bench with the Warriors.”
The Warriors gave permission for Houston to interview Atkinson.
3
Frank Vogel (ex-Lakers coach)
Frank Vogel, who won a championship as head coach of the Lakers, is one of the more appealing candidates available. Vogel had his first interview for the vacancy on Wednesday, per The Athletic’s Kelly Iko.
4
Ime Udoka (ex-Celtics coach)
The Celtics suspended Ime Udoka for the entire season due to improper conduct that violated multiple team policies, and he was eventually dismissed from the team when Joe Mazzulla was elevated to head coach.
The Nets briefly considered bringing Udoka into the mix, but eventually settled on Jacque Vaughn.
There are rumors that the Rockets could pursue Boston All-Star Jaylen Brown this offseason. Brown has had nothing but kind words for Udoka since the coach was dismissed from his position.
5
Scott Brooks (Trail Blazers assistant)
One interesting candidate for the Rockets to consider is Trail Blazers associate head coach Scott Brooks. The reason, per Jake Fischer, has something to do with James Harden (via Yahoo):
“Harden has loomed as a key target for the Rockets, sources told Yahoo Sports, with an opportunity to decline his player option with the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2023-24 campaign. And several potential coaching candidates — in addition to Nurse — whom league personnel have connected to the Rockets have a shared history with Harden. Scott Brooks, currently an assistant with Portland, coached the Oklahoma City Thunder before Harden was dealt to the Rockets in 2012.”
Brooks, currently the associate head coach for the Trail Blazers, won the NBA’s Coach of the Year in 2010.
6
James Borrego (ex-Hornets coach)
James Borrego coached the Hornets from 2018 until 2022. Before that, he won two NBA championships during two different tenures as an assistant coach with the Spurs. The Rockets interviewed Borrego as a candidate for their head coaching vacancy in 2016.
7
Charles Lee (Bucks associate head coach)
Milwaukee Bucks assistant Charles Lee is a candidate for Detroit’s head coaching vacancy and he could earn consideration in Houston, too. He was also a candidate for recent vacancies with the Hawks, Jazz, Lakers, Hornets, Kings, Wizards, Pelicans, and Magic. He is ready for his own team.
8
Adrian Griffin (Raptors assistant)
The Rockets recently received permission to interview Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin. The former NBA player, who played for Houston in 2003-04, was also considered a candidate for recent vacancies with the Jazz, Lakers, and Bulls.
9
Kevin Young (Suns assistant)
The Rockets received permission to interview Phoenix assistant Kevin Young, who has “gained momentum” as a head coaching candidate in recent years. He was a candidate for recent vacancies with the Jazz and Wizards.
10
Rex Kalamian (Pistons assistant)
Rex Kalamian, an assistant coach for the Pistons, may earn consideration for Houston’s vacancy as well. Here is more from Yahoo’s Jake Fischer:
“Rex Kalamian, a current Pistons assistant coach, has also been mentioned by multiple NBA figures as a possible Houston coaching addition, perhaps as an assistant coach, with respect to his relationship with Harden since serving on Brooks’ OKC staff.”
Kalamian is the head coach of the Armenian national team.
