Jeff Hornacek is “very close” to joining the Rockets as an assistant to new head coach Stephen Silas, per Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston.
Hornacek will join John Lucas as the first two assistants for Silas, a first-time head coach. Both Hornacek and Lucas have previously been head coaches with multiple NBA franchises. Given his status as a relative newbie, Silas has listed “experience” as a key criteria for his bench.
Now 57 years old, Hornacek led the Phoenix Suns from 2013 through 2016 and the New York Knicks from 2016 through 2018. In 2013-14, he was the NBA’s runner-up for Coach of the Year. During his Phoenix years, Hornacek coached P.J. Tucker, who currently starts for the Rockets.
Known best for his motion offenses, Hornacek has plenty of familiarity with Houston from his playing days in the 1990s with rival Utah. (In his six seasons there, the Jazz faced the Rockets in the playoffs three times.)
More than a decade later, Hornacek began his coaching career as an assistant with the Jazz from 2011 through 2013.
Beyond Hornacek and Lucas, other names reportedly in consideration for the Houston bench include Jazz assistant DeSagana Diop, Magic assistant Rick Higgins, and former 76ers and Nets assistant Will Weaver.
NBA source: Jeff Hornacek, former @Suns and @nyknicks head coach, is very close to signing with the @HoustonRockets, joining the staff of new head coach Stephen Silas as an assistant coach.
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) November 10, 2020
