Rockets Rumors: Ty Lue, T-Wolves' David Vanterpool Interviewing for HC Job

The Houston Rockets are set to speak with former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue about their head coaching vacancy, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Lue spent the 2019-20 season as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers' staff.

Woj also reported Friday the Rockets will interview Minnesota Timberwolves associate head coach David Vanterpool for the position.

Lue spent two full seasons and parts of two others leading the Cavs. The crowning achievement came in 2016 when he helped guide LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Co. to the franchise's first championship.

He posted a 128-83 record (.607 winning percentage) with Cleveland but was fired after an 0-6 start to the 2018-19 season following the departure of James.

Meanwhile, Vanterpool is a former guard who spent a brief period in the NBA with the Washington Wizards during the 2000-01 season. He started his coaching career in Europe with Russian squad CSKA Moscow in 2007 before making the jump to the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2012.

The 47-year-old St. Bonaventure product joined the Wolves' staff under Ryan Saunders in June 2019.

In January, he explained to Chris Hine of the Star Tribune his own nomadic career helped prepare him to coach players on the fringe who are looking for ways to make an impact and stick in the NBA:

"The majority of the league is closer to me than LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Some guys may be in the league for eight to 10 years. Those same guys could be in the league for two or three. That's how close that range is. It's really fragile.

"It's given me a broader understanding of the league, the players in it, the things they go through, the mentality they may have and what could be helpful for them."

In all, Vanterpool owns 13 years of experience as an assistant, but he has yet to serve as a head coach.

Whomever the Rockets choose to replace Mike D'Antoni will immediately deal with championship-level expectations as they inherit a roster led by the superstar tandem of James Harden and Russell Westbrook.