Only one coaching candidate stands between the Houston Rockets and the start of contract talks with frontrunner Mike D’Antoni, league sources told The Vertical: Charlotte Hornets assistant coach Stephen Silas.

Stephen Silas, from left, on the bench with Hornets coach Steve Clifford and Patrick Ewing. (AP) More

Silas has a second interview with the Rockets on Thursday and will meet with owner Leslie Alexander and general manager Daryl Morey, league sources said.

Silas, 42, made a strong impression on Rockets officials in his first interview and has a growing reputation in the league.

While this is considered an interview for the head-coaching job, Silas isn’t the top assistant in Charlotte, and the Rockets could make a play to hire Silas to join D’Antoni as his top assistant, sources said. Patrick Ewing is the associate head coach in Charlotte, so it is conceivable – if Houston doesn’t want to usurp D’Antoni in the process – that the Rockets make a run at Silas to be the team’s top assistant coach.

Houston has explored different staff combinations for D’Antoni, who is the associate head coach with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Silas, the son of former NBA player and coach Paul Silas, has built an impressive résumé in 16 years in the league, including coaching stops in Cleveland, Washington and Golden State. Charlotte coach Steve Clifford is highly respected within the Rockets organization and his recommendation of Silas has carried significant weight too, sources said.

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