The Houston Rockets could have a new coach in 2023-24

The Houston Rockets, much like the Texans, have had a forgettable 2022-23 season. The Rockets own the league’s worst record at 13-45 in February. One NBA analyst thinks the Rockets could replace head coach Stephen Silas.

The team has young talent. But, as the Eric Gordon trade indicated, the Rockets are sellers this season.

The team will need a serious rebuild to contend for a playoff spot. Silas, who’s been the head coach since 2020, might not be in Houston for the next step.

Zach Harper came out with a recent NBA power ranking for The Athletic. They ranked the Rockets 29th out of 30 teams. (The San Antonio Spurs are at 30th.) Harper thinks Silas’ body language on the court suggests the head coach knows his days are numbered in Houston:

“We’ve seen coach Stephen Silas a lot grumpier lately, and I think you can point to the second half of games as the reason why. They are a lot worse coming out of halftime than they were, and we’re seeing the Rockets let go of the rope and be far less competitive in garbage time. First time we checked in, they were actually good and competitive in clutch situations.

That has gone completely away. It’s safe to wonder if Silas will be replaced at some point this offseason, which is unfortunately often the case when young coaches take over teams that start rebuilding almost right away.”

 

The Houston Rockets put Silas in a tough spot

Silas was put in an unfortunate position with the Houston Rockets. They didn’t have the talent necessary after losing players like Russell Westbrook and James Harden for the team to be a playoff competitor, much less not finish the season with the worst record for the third consecutive year.

While it’s his job to get young professional athletes to compete on the court in garbage time during meaningless games, it’s only human that his players would respond to the early results this season by letting their guard down.