John Lucas becoming favorite to win Rockets' HC job?

Could assistant coach John Lucas to take over as Houston's new head coach? Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Report: John Lucas becoming favorite to land Rockets' head coaching job

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 10/15/20

Back on Oct. 5, Rockets forward Danuel House Jr. tweeted his support for assistant coach John Lucas to take over as Houston's head coach following the voluntary departure of Mike D'Antoni in September.

@JLEnterprises https://t.co/xuXWb6lK4h
— DanuelKHouseJr (@DanuelHouseJr) October 5, 2020

It appears House isn't the only person who'd like to see Lucas earn the gig.

Marc Stein of the New York Times is reporting that star players James Harden and Russell Westbrook, along with new Rockets general manager Rafael Stone, are keen on the club promoting Lucas and that Lucas is "gaining steam" in the race to win the job.

Jeff Van Gundy remains a co-finalist in Houston and was still talking to the Rockets today after their initial interview Wednesday

But Lucas, league sources say, has at least three key admirers in the organization: James Harden, Russell Westbrook and new Rockets GM Rafael Stone
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 15, 2020

Stone replaced Daryl Morey, who stepped down from his role of GM earlier on Thursday.

The Rockets lost out on a potential candidate when the Los Angeles Clippers promoted current assistant and former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue. It's been reported for months that former coach and current ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy is a favorite to return to the Rockets for a second stint as their head coach.

Lucas hasn't served as an NBA head coach since the 2002-03 season when he was unceremoniously fired by the Cleveland Cavaliers. As ESPN explained, Lucas later claimed the Cavs tanked under his watch to earn the rights to draft LeBron James.

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