Rockets to meet with Doc Rivers for head coaching vacancy

According to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, the Rockets will interview Doc Rivers for its coaching vacancy within the next two days.

Doc Rivers became the highest-profile coach on the open market after he and the Clippers agreed to part ways Monday.

The Philadelphia 76ers, who fired head coach Brett Brown following their sweep to the Celtics, are also interested in Doc Rivers and met with him Wednesday evening in Philadelphia. The meeting ended with no decision but there’s an idea that the 76ers will offer the position to Rivers and the job is his should he wish to accept it.

The 76ers are also interested in former Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni, and it’s likely a two-horse race between them.

The Rockets are adding Rivers to a long list of potential candidates, which includes former Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy, Nuggets assistant Wes Unseld Jr., Mavericks assistant Stephen Silas, and Clippers assistants (and former Rockets) Ty Lue and Sam Cassell.

If Rivers becomes the Rockets head coach, he would potentially reunite with his son Austin Rivers, whom he coached for 3.5 seasons in Los Angeles.

UPDATE: Doc Rivers has agreed to become the coach for the Philadelphia 76ers.