Report: Rockets moving toward formal offer to D'Antoni

The Houston Rockets appear to be zeroing in on their next head coach.

Following a number of interviews with prospective candidates, the Rockets are reportedly now moving towards making a formal offer to Mike D'Antoni, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of the Vertical.

D'Antoni recently landed a second interview with the Rockets and is believed to be a front-runner for the position.

The 65-year-old served as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers this year, but has spent 12 seasons as a head coach in the NBA, including stints with the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Lakers. He owns a 455-426 record and was the NBA Coach of the Year in 2005.

Jeff Van Gundy and Kenny Smith were among those to interview for the vacancy but were reportedly told earlier this week that they were no longer in contention.

The Rockets fired head coach Kevin McHale in November following a 4-7 start and named J. B. Bickerstaff interim coach for the remainder of the season.