Report: Rockets assistant Royal Ivey could soon receive NBA head coaching interest
Report: Rockets assistant Royal Ivey could soon receive NBA head coaching interest Rockets assistant Royal Ivey is among a list of candidates currently being evaluated by the Suns for their head coaching vacancy, Chris Haynes reports.
The Houston Rockets (52-30, No. 2 in the Western Conference standings) have overachieved all expectations in the 2024-25 NBA season, and head coach Ime Udoka is getting consideration for Coach of the Year honors.
Those accomplishments, of course, also speak well to the talented coaching staff on Udoka's bench. That includes Rockets assistant Royal Ivey, a former NBA player who coached South Sudan to its first-ever Olympic berth and victory last offseason.
Thus, it shouldn't come as a surprise if Ivey gets a look at other head coaching vacancies around the NBA. Per longtime league insider Chris Haynes, Ivey could potentially receive an interview with the Phoenix Suns, who recently opted to move on from Mike Budenholzer.
From Haynes' YouTube channel (Haynes Briefs):
Sources relayed to me that these are a list of coaching candidates that are going to be looked at by the Phoenix Suns. Mike Brown, former head coach of the Sacramento Kings. Willie Green, current Pelicans head coach. We're going to see, is Willie going to stay there in New Orleans? I mean, New Orleans just parted ways with its president of basketball operations, David Griffin.
If Willie is going to be outed, Phoenix is definitely going to take a look. Willie (previously) spent some time in Phoenix. Miami assistant Chris Quinn, Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant. Mavericks assistants Sean Sweeney and Jared Dudley. Dudley played in Phoenix, and has strong ties to the Phoenix area. Rockets assistant Royal Ivey, and current Suns assistant David Fizdale. And former Suns assistant and current BYU head coach Kevin Young. Those are some names that I was told that the team will look into and evaluate, and (then) choose who they're going to bring in for interviews.
These are largely guys who played in the NBA before, or are young, up-and-coming guys. I think a lot of teams feel like they need a voice that's not too far removed from playing, or a young up-and-coming assistant coach who has the ear of the players. Look at the Lakers (and JJ Redick). If you look at the issues with Bud and the players on this Suns team, that lack of communication was key, so bringing in somebody who has the ear of the players and can communicate and relay a message properly, and be received in the right way… that's going to be very important.
Time will tell as to whether Ivey ultimately lands an interview with the Suns or other teams, but it's positive news for his career that he's in the conversation, no matter what. And it also shows that Houston's strong performance this season is drawing attention around the league.
More: In second year with Houston, Ime Udoka could be in NBA's 2025 Coach of the Year finalists
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