Rockets split with Silas after 3 seasons

The Houston Rockets won't pick up the fourth-year option on head coach Stephen Silas' contract, the team announced Monday.

Silas finishes his stint in Houston with a record of 58-178 (.246 winning percentage) across three seasons.

"I have great respect for Stephen both as a person and as a basketball mind," Rockets general manager Rafael Stone said in a statement. "His character, leadership, and positivity have been invaluable during this stage of our growth."

Candidates in the Rockets' coaching search include former Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka, Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson, and former Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse will reportedly join the mix if he becomes available following the season.

Houston finished the campaign with the league's third-worst record at 22-60. The Rockets had the worst overall record in each of the previous two campaigns, finishing 20-62 last year and 17-55 in the shortened 2020-21 campaign.

The Rockets struggled to move the ball under Silas' watch, averaging a league-worst 22.4 assists per game.

They drafted in the top three each of the past two years, adding scoring guard Jalen Green at No. 2 overall in 2021 and forward Jabari Smith Jr. at No. 3 in 2022.