Latest on Rockets’ Coaching Search

The Rockets have interviewed several candidates, including former Lakers coach Frank Vogel, for their coaching vacancy, as relayed by Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle and we wrote about here.

Vogel, for one, will receive a second interview, per reports and Hoops Wire sources.

Others linked to the job by Feigen:

• Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson.
• Former Hornets coach James Borrego.
• 76ers assistant Sam Cassell, a former Rockets guard.
• Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin.
• Former Celtics coach Ime Udoka.
• Suns assistant Kevin Young.

Of the names mentioned, only Vogel, Borrego, Atkinson and Udoka have head-coaching experience. Cassell, Young and Griffin do not.

Udoka is actually viewed as a possibility in several spots, including the Pistons, or with the Raptors should they move on from Nick Nurse. So the Rockets may be hesitant to put all their eggs in one basket with Udoka. (But they could have an interest in Nurse if he and the Raptors part ways.)

Meanwhile, Borrego did a pretty nice job in Charlotte, with the Hornets’ recording improving by at least 10 wins in each of his final three seasons.

But for now, the frontrunner appears to be Vogel, who coached the Lakers to the championship in the 2020 Disney bubble.

“The Rockets never improved defensively last season, but Vogel has long been considered among the league’s top defensive minds, building the top-ranked defense in the NBA in three seasons,” Feigen wrote. “He is the most proven of the candidates the Rockets have contacted, having seven playoff teams and a championship.”

Udoka, who led the Celtics to the Finals in his first season as a head coach, is also likely high on the list. But again, the Rockets would likely have lots of competition.

“The Celtics suspended and eventually dismissed Udoka for a violation of team rules involving an improper relationship with a staff member,” Feigen wrote. “He was considered close to landing the job with the Nets during the season before the Nets reversed course, given the reasons for Udoka’s departure from Boston coupled with the Nets’ other unrelated controversies at the time. Udoka could also be a top candidate for other positions, especially in Toronto if Nick Nurse steps down.”

The Rockets are aiming to hire a coach before the 2023 NBA Draft in late June, sources told Hoops Wire.