Doc Rivers reaches deal with 76ers, no longer an option for Rockets

The Rockets were reportedly interested in making Rivers their head coach, but he’s now off the marketplace after choosing the Sixers.

Former Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers is now off the market, since the 58-year-old has agreed to become Philadelphia’s next coach.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith reported earlier Thursday that Rivers planned to meet with the Rockets on Friday or Saturday to discuss their head coaching vacancy. However, Rivers then reached a deal with the 76ers before making the journey to Houston. Rivers was already in Philadelphia, where he met with the team’s ownership on Wednesday night.

Per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets expressed interest in Rivers earlier in the week. However, the Sixers are his pick.

Both the 76ers (Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid) and Rockets (James Harden, Russell Westbrook) were attractive large-market jobs, with two All-Stars already in place. However, it could be argued that Philadelphia is better positioned for the future — since Harden and Westbrook are each 31 years old. By contrast, Simmons and Embiid are 24 and 26, respectively.

Over 21 seasons as an NBA head coach, Rivers ranks 11th all-time in regular-season wins and 7th in all-time victories during the playoffs.

The other downside to Rivers taking the Sixers job means that it won’t be the landing spot for former Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni, who was thought to be the frontrunner before Rivers and the Clippers parted ways. Reports had suggested that D’Antoni might be allowed to change Philadelphia’s roster to fit his system by bringing in some of his own players, which led to trade speculation between the Sixers and Rockets.

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D’Antoni had previously been mentioned as a strong candidate for the Indiana Pacers vacancy, which still remains open.

With Rivers unavailable, Houston’s candidates are now believed to include Clippers assistants Ty Lue and Sam Cassell; former Brooklyn head coach Kenny Atkinson; Dallas assistant Stephen Silas; Denver assistant Wes Unseld Jr.; and former Houston head coach Jeff Van Gundy. GM Daryl Morey is leading the search, and without a clear timetable for a hire.

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