Rockets Interview Sixers Assistant Sam Cassell for Coaching Vacancy

The Rockets interviewed 76ers assistant Sam Cassell for their head-coaching vacancy on Sunday, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic.

Cassell is among those in the mix for the job, as GM Rafael Stone and the Rockets have cast a fairly wide net. Former Lakers coach Frank Vogel, former Celtics coach Ime Udoka and former Hornets coach James Borrego reportedly have also spoken with the team, per reports.

Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson and Suns assistant Kevin Young are others who have been mentioned as candidates. Nick Nurse, who was fired as Raptors coach on Friday, is expected to be in the mix with the Rockets as well, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Cassell, who won two championships with the Rockets as a player, is in his 14th season as an assistant coach.

After retiring in 2008, he joined the late Flip Saunders as an assistant with the Wizards, then signed on with Doc Rivers with the Clippers in 2014. He stayed with Rivers when Rivers became head coach of Philadelphia in 2020.

Houston is looking to replace Stephen Silas, fired after three seasons and a 17-65 record this year.