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Rockets Rumors: John Lucas 'An Emerging Candidate' to Replace Mike D'Antoni

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistOctober 5, 2020

Houston Rockets assistant coach John Lucas leaves the court after an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, in Orlando, Fla. The Rockets won 116-98. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Houston Rockets player development coach John Lucas is an "emerging candidate" to replace Mike D'Antoni as the team's head coach, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.

Per Stein, Lucas "served as the Rockets' player development coach on D'Antoni's staff for the past four seasons and has strong working relationships with Rockets star guards James Harden and Russell Westbrook."

Lucas, 66, spent 14 seasons in the NBA with the Rockets (three stints), Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks and Seattle SuperSonics, averaging 10.7 points and seven assists per game. 

He then turned to a career in coaching, spending two seasons with the San Antonio Spurs (1992-93 and 1993-94)—taking them to the playoffs in both campaigns—and two seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers (1994-95 and 1995-96). After serving three seasons as an assistant with the Denver Nuggets, he spent one-and-a-half seasons as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2001.

He's also worked as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers (2010-11) and on Houston's staff in recent years. In total, his record as a head coach is 173-258.  

Ben DuBose @BenDuBose

Hint: Those teams were drafting No. 1 overall for a reason. The talent sucked.

While Lucas is apparently an emerging candidate, the Rockets have cast a wide net in their search for a new head coach:

Rockets Rumors: John Lucas 'An Emerging Candidate' to Replace Mike D'Antoni
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Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn

Houston is starting to receive permission to interview assistants for vacant head coaching job, including Denver’s Wes Unseld Jr., and Dallas’ Stephen Silas, sources tell ESPN.

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn

Minnesota Timberwolves associate HC David Vanterpool will interview for the Houston Rockets head coaching job, sources tell ESPN. Vanterpool spent seven seasons on Portland staff before becoming the top assistant with Minnesota a year ago.

Brad Turner @BA_Turner

Sources: Clippers assistant coach Ty Lue finished interview with Pelicans for head coach job in Las Vegas Friday. Lue flying to Los Angeles tonight and will meet with Clippers Saturday to discuss that head job. Lue then will meet with Rockets Sunday in Las Vegas for head job.

It's an appealing job because of the team's talented core, which is centered around Harden and Westbrook. While a new coach may want some adjustments to the roster—D'Antoni didn't play with a traditional center, though a new coach may prefer a rim-protecting big man—the Rockets remain a contender because of their star guard duo.

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