Kenny Atkinson. Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Rockets get permission to speak with Warriors assistant about HC opening

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Jason Burgos | Last updated 4/11/23

The Houston Rockets reportedly have already started making calls to fill their head coach vacancy a day after cutting ties with 2022-2023 head coach Stephen Silas.

On Monday, the Houston Rockets pulled the trigger on a decision that many expected to happen. With Silas’ contract finished, the organization decided to end its relationship with him after three seasons as head coach.

After three rough years — two of which with 60 or more losses — Silas ends his Rockets tenure with a 59-117 record. That stat is why he is no longer a member of the organization and is the impetus for some big moves the Rockets are expected to make this summer to get back into playoff contention. However, swinging big in trades or free agency is very different than choosing their next head coach.

With a young roster that features several high draft picks like Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr., the Houston Rockets need a coach that can both win games and develop their young players. That is why the first name on their interview list makes a lot of sense.

Houston Rockets record (2022-23): 22-60

On Tuesday, ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news that “Houston has received permission to interview Golden State associate head coach Kenny Atkinson for the franchise’s coaching job.”

Atkinson is a highly respected talent in the basketball world, and his place as an associate head coach with the defending champion Golden State Warriors is some proof. However, beyond his work with Golden State, he built his reputation as an assistant split over seven seasons with the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks. Serving under proven coaches like Mike D’Antoni and Mike Budenholzer.

In 2016, he landed his lone head-coaching opportunity with the Brooklyn Nets and took them from a 62-loss team in year one to 42 wins in his third season, as he developed Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen and Spencer Dinwiddie into high-level NBA players.

However, he allegedly clashed with superstar guard Kyrie Irving when he joined the team in 2019 and was reportedly pushed out by the All-Star guard and the influence he had over the team’s front office. Atkinson accepted the Charlotte Hornets head coach job last year before changing his mind and returning to the Warriors.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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