Rockets receive permission to interview their former first-round pick for HC job

Cassell has interviewed for several open head-coaching positions over the past few seasons, even speaking with the Rockets in 2020. Perhaps with three more years of experience as an assistant, Houston is ready to give Cassell a shot. Known for being hard but fair with younger players, Cassell could be the perfect fit for a team in the Rockets’ position. 

A first-round pick by the Rockets in the 1993 NBA Draft, Cassell played the first three seasons of his NBA career in Houston, where he won NBA titles in 1994 and 1995. Cassell was a one-time All-Star playing 15 seasons in the NBA for the Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics. 

After retiring following the 2007-08 season, Cassell transitioned into coaching. The 53-year-old has spent the last three seasons with the 76ers and held assistant roles in the past with the Clippers and Washington Wizards. 

Following a disappointing 22-60 finish to the 2022-23 campaign, the Rockets announced they were moving on without head coach Stephen Silas. Silas took over for Mike D’Antoni ahead of the 2020-21 season, going 59-177 over three seasons. 

The Rockets are doing their due diligence, casting a wide net in search of the franchise’s next head coach. Houston has already interviewed former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel while securing permission to speak with Kenny Atkinson, Adrian Griffin, Ime Udoka and James Borrego. Meanwhile, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse would be in “serious consideration” were he to become available. 

Despite finishing tied with the San Antonio Spurs (22-60) for the second-worst record in the NBA, there is hope for a relatively quick turnaround in Houston, which boasts two first-round choices in June’s NBA Draft with potentially over $71 million in cap space to spend this summer.