Rockets coaching search tracker: Nick Nurse joins fray, Sam Cassell interviews

Houston’s ongoing coaching search is now entering its third week, with Philadelphia 76ers assistant Sam Cassell and former Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse among the latest candidates to join the fray. Frank Vogel and Ime Udoka remain in play, as well, with both expected to soon interview for a second time with the Rockets.

After finishing with the NBA’s worst or second-worst record for three straight years, Houston declined to pick up the team option on the contract of former coach Stephen Silas earlier this month.

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With that, the Rockets entered into a search for his replacement. As usual, led by general manager Rafael Stone, they’re casting a wide net and making plenty of contacts, with the interview list including both former head coaches and current assistants around the league.

However, after Silas failed to work out after being a first-time hire in 2020, it’s believed that experience is more of a priority in 2023. Thus, former head coaches such as Vogel, Udoka, Nurse (who only recently became a candidate, thanks to Toronto deciding to fire him), and James Borrego appear to be among the frontrunners.

The Raptors might also be providing competition to the Rockets in the case of Udoka, who could be a candidate to replace Nurse.

As of Monday, April 24, here’s a rundown of the latest reports involving various coaches and Houston’s vacancy. There’s no set timetable for a hire, though the team expects this search to move faster than its previous one in 2020, which took about six weeks.