As their rebuild continues, the Houston Rockets are ready to move to the next phase, according to general manager Rafael Stone. And that phase will not include former head coach Stephen Silas.
As soon as the 2022-23 season ended for the Rockets (22-60) this week, Silas had the team option on his coaching contract declined for the 2023-24 campaign. That put Houston into the coaching market. Former Pacers, Magic and Lakers head coach Frank Vogel; former Celtics coach Ime Udoka; former Nets coach Kenny Atkinson; former Thunder and Wizards coach Scott Brooks; and current Raptors coach Nick Nurse are among the initial list of prospective candidates.
The Rockets are expected to put a premium on experience in this search, with a proven name potentially able to help their market appeal in a 2023 offseason when they have approximately $60 million in salary cap room — likely the most of any NBA team.
However, as Stone acknowledged in Monday’s press conference, the Rockets will likely interview candidates without prior head coaching experience as well. Houston’s third-year general manager expects the job to be quite attractive.
The team will not issue updates during its search, but tidbits from knowledgeable sources are likely to emerge. As of Thursday, here’s what we’ve learned about the process and the candidates involved, which could soon include Nurse, now that Toronto is eliminated from the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.
Frank Vogel interviews
The Houston Rockets interviewed Frank Vogel for the franchise’s head coaching job on Wednesday, sources tell @TheAthletic. Vogel, 49, last served as Lakers head coach from 2019-22, winning an NBA championship in 2020.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) April 12, 2023
Nick Nurse is high on the list
Woj says the Houston Rockets certainly "are watching very closely" the Nick Nurse situation in Toronto, but adds he thinks there's still a pathway forward for him to possibly stay with the Raptors. https://t.co/aqnkstSCZg pic.twitter.com/GVQOIRN0W9
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) April 13, 2023
Rockets receive permission from Warriors for Kenny Atkinson interview
Kenny Atkinson is gold working with young players. #Nets 👇🏾 https://t.co/Kdn41C6FA3
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) April 11, 2023
How James Borrego could use Alperen Sengun
Head coaching candidates will be asked about getting the most out of Houston’s key players — can James Borrego do it?
“When you think about Alperen, it’s the playing through your bigs, playing out of (dribble hand-offs), playing out of constant motion.” https://t.co/zoy41Yin9T
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) April 13, 2023
Rockets look to interview Kevin Young, who Devin Booker endorses
Report: Houston Rockets looking to interview Phoenix Suns associate head coach Kevin Young #Suns #Rockets https://t.co/BcsiEj6ZnV via @azcentral
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 12, 2023
ESPN Sources: The Rockets are securing permission to interview Phoenix Suns associate HC Kevin Young for their head coaching job. Young spent eight years coaching in G League and has gained momentum as NBA head coaching candidate in recent years on staffs with Sixers and Suns.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 11, 2023
Initial fan poll
Which of these coaching candidates do you want to see become the new coach of the Houston Rockets?
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) April 12, 2023
Nick Nurse the betting favorite
Sportsbooks have seven candidates with decent odds to become the Houston Rockets next head coach, but current Raptors coach Nick Nurse is by far the favorite. https://t.co/n5tjDcVfws
— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) April 12, 2023
Sam Cassell to interview
Sixers give Rockets permission to interview Sam Cassell https://t.co/hclYYXX9gn via @houstonchron
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) April 13, 2023
