April 10: The Rockets have officially declined their option and parted ways with Silas, the team announced.
“On behalf of the Fertitta family and the entire Rockets organization, I would like to thank Stephen for his contributions to the team and the Houston community over the past three seasons,” said general manager Rafael Stone. “I have great respect for Stephen both as a person and as a basketball mind. His character, leadership, and positivity have been invaluable during this stage of our growth.”
April 9: Stephen Silas won’t return in 2023/24 as the Rockets‘ head coach, according to reports from Kelly Iko, Shams Charania, and Sam Amick of The Athletic and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).
Because he doesn’t have a guaranteed contract for next season, Silas isn’t technically being fired. However, Houston will turn down its team option on the final year of Silas’ deal and will hire a new head coach.
Rockets management is expected to meet with Silas on Monday to formally part ways, according to The Athletic and ESPN (Twitter link). Word of his exit broke moments after the club won its regular season finale on Sunday.
“I feel proud,” Silas said after Sunday’s game (Twitter link via Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle). “I wanted to be a head coach my whole life like my dad (Paul Silas). I’m proud of these guys. There’s been a lot of talk about my job for a long time. They kept working and playing hard, playing hard for their coach. I’m proud of that.”
Silas was hired by the Rockets to replace Mike D’Antoni prior to the 2020/21 season, back when James Harden and Russell Westbrook were still on the roster. Both of those stars requested trades early in Silas’ tenure and the team pivoted to a rebuild, significantly altering the nature of the job. Silas ultimately led the Rockets to a 59-177 (.250) record during his three years with the club, which was the NBA’s worst record during that time.
According to The Athletic’s story, the Rockets seriously considered firing Silas after slow starts both last season and this season, but he was able to save his job in both instances due to timely wins during those evaluation periods. Following the passing on Stephen’s father Paul this past December, the Rockets intended to let Silas finish the season.
Iko, Charania, and Amick say that Houston believes a head coaching change is necessary to take a next step toward contention, adding that the team will prioritize a more established coach when seeking Silas’ replacement.
Sources tell The Athletic that Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson, Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin, and former NBA head coaches Frank Vogel, James Borrego, and Ime Udoka are expected to be among Houston’s candidates. Chris Mannix of SI.com (Twitter link) suggests that Trail Blazers assistant Scott Brooks, another former head coach, is also drawing interest from the Rockets.
Raptors coach Nick Nurse would be a target too if he doesn’t remain in Toronto, according to The Athletic’s reporters, who say the Rockets will have about eight candidates on their wish list.
As for Silas, he’ll likely be a popular target for teams seeking experienced assistant coaches this offseason, says Wojnarowski. Because he isn’t owed guaranteed money from the Rockets in 2023/24, Silas seems less likely to take a year off before finding a new job.
Nick Nurse
He needed to go. He didn’t have the talent to compete for a play-in spot, but he also didn’t hold the young kids liable enough nor did he improve them either. Sure he’s a good assistant coach, and hopefully he learns from this experience.
Again and Again
Silas is not the main problem.
Houston, you have a problem !!
When you go into “rebuild mode”, you don’t select the role players in the draft to take the team to the playoffs.
Role Players + Role Players = Lottory
When he was hired he was hired to coach a veteran team led by james harden, not a young team led by future stars who aren’t there yet. I like Silas, but he fell into a bad situation thanks to a bad front office (former front office) and unhappy/spoiled star player.
He’s not the MAIN problem, but he certainly didn’t give anything to show he was the solution either. His rotations were questionable all season. There was no step forward for this team and little structure. I like Silas and think he’s more suited to be a good assistant coach. There’s also better candidates out there for what the Rockets need.
Vogel
Nate McMillan …..
Then pray for 2nd pick. Then trade Porter….
With assets Rockets have they can trade for a young star. Or I would go and get Myles Turner.
He played at Texas. And he’d fit right in as starting Center.
Nah jaylen Brown wants main role. Trade 2 future firsts and kpj and others for him
No way Celtics sell that low
I agree that they should hire McMilan, he won’t take crap from any of these young players. Jalen Green certainly wont be shooting every shot on poor efficeincy with him around
“McMilan, he won’t take crap from any of these young players.”
Agree. But he may not play them.
Ever. Even if they’re better. And I’m not sure he would try much to make them better.
I guess mediocrity is a step up, Nate will do his best to ensure little progression is made after a couple years. Good thing coaches that don’t take crap are often the worst, eh?
Young, Driven, Relates to the young players.
Shouldn’t be hard, lots of good, young, coaches. G-league is full of ’em.
Woooooooot it’s time to celebrate!!!! Worst coach the rockets ever had. Time to bring in a real head coach. Wooooooooooooooooot
If you can’t control the minutes, you can’t coach the team. Paul Silas would have just asked the backcourt to step outside and go for a walk. When they recovered, they would remember how to pass the ball and play defense.
I like Silas and wish he could get another shot somewhere. He’s been taking the lumps so a bunch of kids can learn from their mistakes on the job. KPJ has matured from a player on the verge of exile to a promising star under his watch.
They’ll probably do better next year and he won’t get any respect for shaping these kids – Mark Jackson
You were not supposed to win that One. You are fired
No to Nate, Van Grundy and Mark Jackson. Maybe Nurse. If bring in Scott Brooks Harden May be attached there. Maybe let Harden and Westbrook go due to wanted team to tank for a few seasons. Then find a coach that Harden knows and bring
him here and Harden too. I doubt Harden and such wanted to play under an assistant or Rafael Stone. A part of me does not blame them for not.
silas was a scape goat for this team. He is a great man and I respect him.
Of players keep KJ, Green, Jabari, Tari, Alparen. Get rid of Tate, Nix, Garuba. Not sure if Christopher will stick. TyTy either. Porter Jr could go but really not sure with coaching who will be the one in end and what players will stay or go and what players we get and who we will get with the draft. I like a lot of players and with right coaching staff and vets who knows
Very sad news. Piling on a tough year.