Will Weaver is soon to be announced as the new assistant coach of the Houston Rockets. The news comes via Marc Stein of The New York Times.
The Rockets are hiring Will Weaver as an assistant coach to join Stephen Silas’ staff, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 12, 2020
Weaver, who coached the Sydney Kings to the NBL Finals last season, only for the Finals to be interrupted by the COVID-19 outbreak, spent time in the NBA prior with the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets in the role of special assistant to head coach to Brett Brown and Kenny Atkinson respectively.
Will Weaver was a finalist for the lead job in Oklahoma City (which ultimately went to Mark Daigneault). Shortly after the Thunder made their hire, Weaver committed to the assistant coaching role in Houston.
Weaver was also strongly considered for the New Orleans Pelicans’ head-coaching vacancy before Stan Van Gundy signed a four-year deal to lead the team.
Newly appointed Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas has now finalised his coaching staff with John Lucas, Jeff Hornacek and Rick Higgins also set to join Weaver on the sidelines as assistants.
Weaver has had the chance to scout a lot of Australian talent during his time with the Australian national team, and it’s likely a number of doors might be opened for NBL talent with Weaver’s appointment.
It’s thought that the Rockets have serious intent to sign former Sydney Kings import Jae’Sean Tate and there is interest in signing South East Melbourne Phoenix Next Star Terry Armstrong.
One notable international in my valuations is Sydney Kings forward Jae’Sean Tate, whom I’m told has serious interest from the Houston Rockets. My report on him is in here:https://t.co/hPTTys33Ag
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) November 7, 2020
The move will now see the Kings look to find a replacement for Weaver with the coaching market currently pretty slim with most prominent coaches locked in with teams for next season.
Kings Assitant coach Adam Forde will no doubt be an option. Having been an assistant coach in the NBL and WNBL since 2013 and being a student of both Trevor Gleeson and Will Weaver makes him a solid fit.
A replacement could be found by appointing a former NBL coach like Rob Beveridge, Shawn Dennis or recruiting experienced assistant coaches from other NBL teams like Cairns Jamie O’Laughli0n or Adam Capron, the head coach of the Centre of Excellence program who recently turned down an opportunity to coach the Adelaide 36ers.