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.
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.
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.