Source: J.B. Bickerstaff removes name from Rockets' search
— -- Houston interim head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Rockets job, according to a source.
Bickerstaff interviewed for the job this week, but it became apparent the Rockets were headed in a different direction, the source said. The Rockets would be interested in adding Bickerstaff to the front office, but the team is doubtful he'll remain, according to the source.
Bickerstaff replaced Kevin McHale 11 games into the regular season and finished the season 37-34. The Rockets reached the Western Conference playoffs as the eighth seed and lost in the first round to the Golden State Warriors in five games.
Houston has also interviewed Rockets associate head coach Chris Finch and Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Sam Cassell.
Philadelphia 76ers associate head coach Mike D'Antoni is interviewing for the Rockets' coaching job this week, sources told ESPN's Marc Stein.
Houston will also speak with Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel, sources told Stein, as part of a Sacramento Kings-style broad search if the Pacers let Vogel go, as many expect they will.
While sources stressed to Stein that Houston is focused on proven NBA head coaches and rising assistants, the team is certain to talk to a wide array of candidates. Some of the more out-of-the-box candidates the Rockets are said to be interested in are college coaches Bill Self and Shaka Smart, as well as TNT analyst Kenny Smith, who won two titles while playing for Houston.
The Rockets, Kings and New York Knicks are the only teams with head-coaching vacancies.
Information from ESPN.com's Marc Stein contributed to this report.
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