If the Houston Rockets plan to finalize their hire of a new head coach with veteran GM Daryl Morey as a part of that process, it needs to happen by this coming Saturday, Oct. 31.
Next Sunday, Nov. 1, is the first date in which Morey will officially no longer be a member of the organization. Morey announced his impending departure on Oct. 15, but he agreed to stay on in a short-term advisory role as the team works to replace Mike D’Antoni as its head coach.
With Morey on the way out, new GM Rafael Stone is reportedly running point on Houston’s coaching search. The three frontrunners are believed to be veteran NBA head coach Jeff Van Gundy; Dallas Mavericks assistant Stephen Silas; and John Lucas, who has served as D’Antoni’s director of player development with the Rockets since 2016.
"Morey will remain in an advisory role for a short period to assist in the Rockets' completion of their head-coaching search, sources said." https://t.co/qgLMlZid1v
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) October 15, 2020
At the moment, Houston and Oklahoma City are the only two NBA teams without a head coach in place for the 2020-21 season. But with the Rockets currently devoid of any picks in the NBA’s Nov. 18 draft, that might allow them more time to make a hire, since there’s not an immediate sense of urgency to have the coach’s involvement or input.
There is no definitive timetable for the hire to be made. But if they want Morey to be a part of the final decision — and that was part of the stated logic at the time of his announcement — it needs to be this week.
#Rockets Owner @TilmanJFertitta says new general manager Rafael Stone will make the call on who Tillman hires as their next head coach: “Daryl (Morey, who’s acting in an advisory capacity) will give his input. (Rockets CEO) Tad (Brown)will give his input. All of basketball ops..” pic.twitter.com/z0djLviiA9
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) October 16, 2020
