Rockets rumors: Jeff Van Gundy the favorite to be next Houston coach

Jeff Van Gundy, who himself coached the Rockets between 2003 and 2007, has emerged as a frontrunner as the new head coach of Houston.

A new development has recently emerged in the hunt for the next head coach of the Houston Rockets, and as it appears, former coach Jeff Van Gundy has now become a frontrunner for the recently vacated post.

In a recent appearance on the “Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective” podcast, ESPN's basketball insider Tim MacMahon hinted at a possible reunion for Van Gundy and the Rockets.

“I still think Jeff Van Gundy is probably the favorite but they're definitely doing their due diligence,” said MacMahon (h/t RealGM).

To be clear, this is an unconfirmed news bit from a reliable source, so at this point, Van Gundy being named as Houston's head coach is anything but a certainty. He will need to contend with a few other big names that have been linked to the Rockets, with perhaps none more high-profile than former NBA champion coach Tyronn Lue.

Marc Stein of the New York Times added Van Gundy expects to interview with the Western Conference franchise next week.

Ty Lue is scheduled to interview with the Rockets early next week for Houston's coaching vacancy, league sources say

Also expected in Houston in the near future: Interviews for current Rockets staffer John Lucas and ESPN's Jeff Van Gundy (who calls Game 5 of the Finals tonight)

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 9, 2020

MacMahon then went on to say that one of the biggest factors that will come into play is a candidate's relationship with Rockets general manager Daryl Morey:

“Really, I think the most important thing for the coaching candidates is going to be aligning with Daryl Morey and his vision in terms of basketball philosophy as well as who is going to be on that staff because we all know Daryl Morey is very hands on in terms of putting together a coach's staff,” MacMahon expressed.

Whoever ends up getting the job will inherit quite a lineup. Former coach Mike D'Antoni laid out the foundations of an unprecedented micro-ball style of play, so it will be interesting to see if Houston's new head coach will carry on with this unique approach to the game.