Will Rockets Target 76ers Coach to Replace Stephen Silas?

The rebuilding Houston Rockets are making a key change this week. With the 2022-2023 NBA regular season officially in the rearview, the Rockets intend to part ways with their head coach, Stephen Silas.

Although Silas has a fourth-year option attached to his contract for next season, the organization plans to decline it officially on Monday, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

With Silas out of the picture in Houston, the Rockets are going on a search to find a new head coach that can help steer the ship and be the prospect to turn a young Rockets team into a potential playoff contender for years to come.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Rockets are expected to have a “list of about eight candidates” to replace Silas. So far, six potential candidates have been revealed.

Among those who are currently assistants or available are Golden State Warriors’ Kenny Atkinson, former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel, former Charlotte Hornets head coach James Borrego, former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka, and Toronto Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin.

Beyond those who are currently not in a head coaching position, the Rockets have also been linked to Raptors head coach Nick Nurse. While Nurse is under contract in Toronto next season, he recently revealed that there could be changes beyond this season.

So far, the Philadelphia 76ers don’t have any potential candidates of interest to the Rockets. In the past, Sixers assistants Dave Joerger and Sam Cassell have been mentioned as potential head coaching candidates for other teams.

While the Rockets might take a look at one of those prospects as they widen their search, it’s clear they have their sights set on some notable candidates as they turn a page.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.