The Houston Rockets are hiring Dallas Mavericks assistant Stephen Silas to become the franchise’s next head coach, sources told ESPN.
Silas and the Rockets agreed to a four-year contract Wednesday, and a formal announcement was expected soon, sources said.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban congratulated Silas on Twitter.
CONGRATS COACH Silas ! https://t.co/pVeMXuf103
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) October 28, 2020
Silas will replace Mike D’Antoni, who left after his contract expired at the end of the season.
Silas sold the Rockets on his offensive ingenuity and a strong family history in 20 seasons as an NBA assistant under highly regarded head coaches such as Rick Carlisle and Steve Clifford. His experience coaching elite guards — including Luka Doncic, Stephen Curry and Kemba Walker — is expected to serve him well with the Rockets, shaping his own system around James Harden and Russell Westbrook.
“A great hire for the Rockets,” Carlisle said. “Stephen did a great job for us here in Dallas helping us get back to the playoffs. Thrilled for him and his family.”
Silas is the son of former NBA player and coach Paul Silas, and he worked for his father early in his career with Charlotte. They become the fifth father-son combination to be NBA head coaches.
Stephen Silas, 47, will be the first hire of new Rockets general manager Rafael Stone, who recently replaced Daryl Morey.
The Rockets hope to have John Lucas return to their coaching staff under Silas, sources told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
Lucas was a finalist for the head-coaching job and is immensely respected throughout the organization, from ownership to the locker room. Lucas served as director of player development in Houston under D’Antoni and could have a more prominent role under Silas.
The Rockets want to build a veteran staff to assist the rookie head coach, and the Houston Chronicle reported that the team also has targeted former NBA head coaches Nate McMillan and Jeff Hornacek.
Silas built a strong reputation in the league for his even-tempered and likable style through the years. He is an Ivy League graduate, having attended Brown University.