Charlotte Hornets assistant coach Stephen Silas is traveling to meet Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr on Monday in Oklahoma City, league sources told The Vertical.

Charlotte Hornets assistant coach Stephen Silas (AP) More

Golden State received Charlotte’s permission to discuss the Warriors’ top assistant coaching job with Silas, and the Warriors are moving quickly to secure him before the Houston Rockets can offer him their head-coaching job, league sources said.

Portland was granted permission Sunday to talk to Silas about being the top assistant to Blazers coach Terry Stotts, league sources said.

Suddenly, the pressure is growing on Houston to make a decision between Silas and Philadelphia 76ers associate head coach Mike D’Antoni for the Rockets’ job.

The Rockets are seriously considering a coaching partnership that includes Silas and Lionel Hollins as associate head coach, league sources said. What had become a Houston process destined to hire D’Antoni has been transformed into a two-candidate race.

The Warriors could no longer wait until the end of the playoffs to secure Luke Walton’s replacement on Kerr’s staff because of Silas’ growing candidacy in Houston. Golden State is playing Oklahoma City on Sunday in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals.

Silas was an assistant for the Warriors from 2006-10 and built a strong working relationship with two-time MVP Stephen Curry.

Silas, 42, made a significant impression on the Rockets’ front office in two interviews, and his preparation under well-regarded Charlotte coach Steve Clifford has pushed him into contention for the job, league sources said. Silas met with Houston general manager Daryl Morey a second time on Thursday, a meeting that included his initial audience with owner Leslie Alexander.

Alexander has taken a significant role in the coaching search and has long admired D’Antoni.

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