For a third straight year, the Houston Rockets will finish the 2022-23 campaign with one of the NBA’s three worst records.
On paper, that doesn’t speak well of head coach Stephen Silas, who has overseen the on-court product throughout each of those years.
Then again, there are obvious extenuating circumstances. Notably, Silas was hired in November 2020 when the Rockets had a veteran-laden roster led by former MVPs James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Within months, they had transitioned to a rebuild with numerous players age 21 or younger.
Silas was signed to a three-year contract with a team option for a fourth season, which means this is the last year Silas is owed a guaranteed salary from the franchise. If the Rockets want to go a different direction, there’s a clear path for them to do so.
The question is whether general manager Rafael Stone and owner Tilman Fertitta believe a change is prudent — specifically how will they evaluate Silas within the context of a young roster that was destined to have massive growing pains regardless of who the coach was.
With approximately $60 million in salary cap space, there is an argument to be made that a coach with more winning experience might make Houston more desirable on the offseason market. This is Silas’ first stint as an NBA head coach, and while the win-loss records are largely out of his control, the fact remains he hasn’t yet won at a high enough level to draw attention around the league. Thus, the team might want a more proven option.
Prior to Tuesday’s home finale versus Denver, Silas expressed pride over his team’s performance over these three years, but added that he had yet to hear from either Stone or ownership about his future.
Among his comments:
I found strength in myself that I didn’t necessarily know that I had. I am proud of the job that I’ve done. I have a three-year contract and this is the last home game of my three years, so whatever happens, happens after this, but… I can’t be anything but proud.
“I am proud of the job I have done,” said Houston Rockets HC Stephen Silas about this season. “I have a three year contract and this is the last home game of my three years. So whatever happens, happens after this.” #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/Hg0rEKwiz6
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) April 4, 2023
In response to a follow-up question, Silas acknowledged the lack of talks regarding his future with the team after this season.
Houston finishes its 2022-23 season on Sunday in Washington, and the team typically makes Stone available to the media within a day or two as part of the “exit interviews” to wrap up the year and preview the offseason. That could be the first opportunity to hear the team’s perspective on how things will play out with Silas.
Silas said he has not had conversations about his contract past this season with GM Rafael Stone or the Fertittas. https://t.co/4IqAIUvd0G
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) April 4, 2023
