In direct contrast to an earlier report by colleague Brian Windhorst, ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski said Wednesday that Jeff Van Gundy remains the frontrunner to become the next Houston Rockets head coach.
Windhorst, who two weeks ago had pointed to Van Gundy as a strong candidate in Houston, said Wednesday afternoon that he believed “circumstances have changed” between the 58-year-old coach and the Rockets. Windhorst then said he believed that John Lucas, who has worked for the Rockets as Mike D’Antoni’s director of player development under since 2016, was the new frontrunner for the lead position.
However, only hours later, Wojnarowski offered a completely different perspective. Here’s what Woj said on SportsCenter:
Jeff Van Gundy, who last coached in the NBA with the Rockets some 13 years ago… those conversations have continued for the last week, into this week. He’s been at the forefront of that Rockets search.
You know, Daryl Morey stepped away as general manager. So I think the ability of Jeff Van Gundy to get on the same page with ownership, and with the front office — Rafael Stone, the new general manager — and have a sense that everyone could potentially be aligned there, with how that might go.
His conversations have continued with the team. Stephen Silas, who is an assistant in Dallas, is another prominent candidate still in this search. There is one internal candidate, John Lucas, who has a close relationship with James Harden and with the front office. But Jeff Van Gundy has remained the focus of this, and they’re trying to figure out if they can get to a place where it makes sense for both sides.
Full video of the Wojnarowski segment can be watched below.
There is no still definitive timetable for Houston’s hire to be made. With Daryl Morey on his way out, new GM Rafael Stone is leading the search.
[lawrence-related id=39491,39483]