5 player-turned-coaches the Houston Rockets could target

1. Tyronn Lue

Tyronn Lue played a total of 11 seasons in the NBA, including a brief stint with the Houston Rockets in 2004-05. Lue was a stellar 3-point shooter, as he holds a career average of 39.1 percent from deep.

Lue also won two NBA titles as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, where he was partnered with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. Lue transitioned into coaching during the 2011-12 season, as he became an assistant coach on Doc Rivers’ staff for two seasons.

Rivers was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2013-14 season and added Lue as a member of his staff during that season. Lue joined the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers as an assistant coach prior to the 2014-15 season, and remained with the franchise through the 2018-19 season.

Lue was promoted from assistant coach to head coach midway through the 2015-16 season, and led the Cavs to a 27-14 record. Lue led the Cavs to their first NBA championship in franchise history, as they defeated the Golden State Warriors on the Dubs’ home floor in Game 7.

Lue led the Cavs to the Finals in each of the next two seasons, but they fell short to the Warriors on both occasions. Lue was fired six games into the 2018-19 season, which was a sign that the team was rebuilding, as they no longer had Kyrie Irving or LeBron James on the roster anymore.

Lue rejoined Doc Rivers’ staff with the Clippers prior to the 2019-20 season and has been connected to multiple coaching vacancies across the league, including the Rockets job.

All in all, Lue went 128-83 with the Cavs, boasting a 60.7 winning percentage, which ranks third-best in franchise history.