The Rockets may be set to interview James Borrego for their head coaching position, and Magic assistant Adrian Griffin is also on the list. But those interviews seem to be due diligence, according to the Houston Chronicle‘s Jonathan Feigen, who adds that Mike D’Antoni and Stephen Silas are the two likeliest candidates for the job:
Rockets next round of interviews will include Adrian Griffin and James Borrego on Monday in Houston, sources confirmed.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) May 21, 2016
Impression among various coaching sources remains that Silas, D'Antoni finalists. Rockets like to pick brains of top, respected candidates.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) May 21, 2016
Even if the Rockets are zeroed in on their top choices, it’s a smart approach to keep talking to other candidates, so they have as much information as possible. Somebody could unexpectedly blow them away in an interview, and then they’d have a candidate they hadn’t previously considered. Establishing relationships with these coaching candidates also makes it more likely they’d consider being assistants if they don’t get a head job elsewhere.