"With one coaching search complete, the Rockets will open another this week.

Seeking a lead assistant to Kevin McHale to run the defense and help with day-to-day preparations, the Rockets will interview Memphis Grizzlies assistant Dave Joerger this week, a person familiar with the process said. The interview is not yet scheduled.

The Rockets will also consider New Orleans Hornets assistant Michael Malone and Milwaukee Bucks assistant Kelvin Sampson, the individual familiar with the process said. Malone is considered a top candidate to join Mike Brown with the Los Angeles Lakers as a lead assistant. He had been on Brown's staff in Cleveland before joining Monty Williams in New Orleans this season.

Joerger and Malone were on the initial list of candidates to interview for the Rockets' head coaching position but were not interviewed before the club chose to consider only candidates with NBA head coaching experience. Sampson was among the first coaching candidates interviewed."