dunkcomau

Will Weaver joins Houston as Assistant Coach, Rockets expected to sign Jae’Sean Tate

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.

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.

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.

Share:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Hoops Analysis

    Which NBL Teams Spent the Most?

    Over the past three NBL seasons, clubs have spent almost $97 million assembling their rosters, but how much of that money has translated into wins, and which teams have delivered the best value for money? These figures represent cash spend, not salary cap spend. Cash spending includes player salaries and additional costs such as agent fees, bonuses, import related expenses and luxury tax, rather than simply the amounts counted against the league's salary cap. How much have NBL teams spent over the past three seasons?…

    READ MORE
  • NBL News

    ARE THE HAWKS “TIRED” OF TATUM’S VOICE?

    Larry Bird believed players began tuning out coaches after three years. Pat Riley reportedly put the limit at five, while Steve Kerr admitted his Golden State players were tired of hearing him in his fourth season. Now Justin Tatum is in his fourth season with Illawarra, and the Hawks have gone from NBL champions to the bottom of the ladder. Could they be experiencing the same problem? Justin Tatum transformed Illawarra from one of the NBL's worst teams into champions. But ahead of today's clash…

    READ MORE
  • NBL News

    COULD BRIAN GOORJIAN HAVE SAVED THE MELBOURNE TIGERS?

    In 2002, the Melbourne Tigers were fighting for survival when they identified an opportunity to attract supporters from their biggest rivals. Their plan to honour Brian Goorjian was blocked by the Victoria Giants, potentially changing the course of Melbourne basketball history. In 2002, the Melbourne Tigers devised a plan that could have changed the future of their club. The Tigers were emerging from financial administration, crowds were falling and the club had been forced to abandon its home at Vodafone Arena, now known as John…

    READ MORE
  • NBL News

    GOLD COAST NBL EXPANSION SET TO BECOME A REALITY?

    A new funding proposal, a crucial November meeting and renewed interest from the NBL could finally provide a pathway for professional basketball to return to the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast's long-running push to return to the NBL has reached another critical stage, with Mayor Tom Tate preparing to meet Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie in November to discuss the future of the proposed $1 billion Gold Coast Arena. After years of negotiations, changing timelines and funding setbacks, the city's hopes of securing an NBL…

    READ MORE
  • Podcasts

    Paul Rees on NBL titles, battles with Brian Goorjian and small town success

    Four-time NBL champion and 1994 Grand Final MVP Paul Rees joins the podcast to reflect on his journey from small-town basketball to a 17-season NBL career with the Brisbane Bullets, North Melbourne Giants and Adelaide 36ers. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Rees about winning championships with North Melbourne and Adelaide, playing under Brett Brown and Phil Smyth, representing Australia at the 1994 World Championship, and battling Brian Goorjian and some of the NBL’s best teams throughout…

    READ MORE
  • NBL News

    MELBOURNE UNITED NEEDS TO DECIDE: Are they the Tigers or not?

    Jensen Bradtke wearing his father Mark’s famous No. 50 should be one of the great stories of NBL27. Instead, it has again exposed a question Melbourne United has never properly answered: when does Melbourne Tigers history belong to United, and when doesn’t it? Seeing BRADTKE and No. 50 together on a Melbourne basketball jersey again should be nothing other than a celebration. Jensen Bradtke is beginning his first season with Melbourne United, wearing the same number his father Mark wore through one of the great…

    READ MORE
  • NBL News

    The Next Step: Breakout player candidates for NBL27

    Every NBL pre-season, there is plenty of attention on players around the league who could take the next step in their professional basketball journey. A breakout can happen in different ways. For some players, it’s getting more opportunity. For an established player, it can mean building on what they have already achieved and elevating their game to another level. For others, it may simply take a new home where their skills can be maximised. Below are four players who I think are ready to break…

    READ MORE
  • Podcasts

    Mario Donaldson on THAT 1994 NBL Dunk Contest and his time playing with Sydney & Canberra

    Former Sydney Kings and Canberra Cannons import Mario Donaldson joins the podcast to revisit his time in the NBL, including competing in the famous 1994 NBL Dunk Contest, the highs and lows of his seasons in Sydney and Canberra, and the success he found playing around the world. Host Dan Boyce chats with Donaldson about arriving in Sydney in 1994 and playing alongside Leon Trimmingham, helping the Kings return to the playoffs and establishing himself as one of the league’s best outside shooters. Visit dunk.com.au…

    READ MORE