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Rockets and Sam Cassell with “mutual interest” for vacant coaching job

The Rockets might be keeping it in the family.

Houston Rockets v Washington Wizards Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

The rumors for the next head coach of the Houston Rockets are already getting hot and heavy. Earlier today, it was reported that Houston was interested in former Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy.

Now, after former head coach Mike D’Antoni announced he would not be back in H-town, it’s being reported that former Rockets player Sam Cassell and Houston’s front office have “mutual interest” in the open position.

Cassell started off his NBA career with Rockets, selected 24th overall by the team out of Florida State University, and the guard played a key role in the back-to-back Houston titles in 1994 and 1995 before being traded to Phoenix in the Charles Barkley deal in 1996.

Cassell then played for the Suns, Mavericks, Nets, Bucks, Timberwolves, Clippers, and Celtics, earning one NBA All-Star appearance in 2004 with Minnesota and a third NBA title in 2008 in Boston. He finished his NBA career averaging 15.7 points, 6 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game.

Cassell then started off his coaching career in 2009 as an assistant coach with the Washington Wizards and was later hired by the Clippers in 2014, where he’s built a reputation as one of the game’s top assistants.

We’ll have more coaching rumors as they develop, but it’s cool to see the Rockets interested in one of their own!