The Houston Rockets have received permission to interview Sam Cassell for their head coach opening. Cassell is currently an assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers, who begin their first-round playoff series with the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday.
Cassell is a former Rockets player. He was a big part of Houston winning back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995. Cassell began his coaching career in 2009 and has spent the last nine seasons as an assistant coach under Doc Rivers with the LA Clippers and the Sixers.
The Rockets declined their fourth-year option for head coach Stephen Silas, following three straight seasons near the bottom of the NBA standings. Houston is conducting a wide-ranging search and is believed to have already begun the interviewing process with Ime Udoka and Frank Vogel.
