Sources: Rockets talking with 3 more candidates

7:19 PM ET

The Houston Rockets were in the process Thursday of conducting ‎three more interviews for their coaching vacancy, but signs continue to point strongly to the team hiring Mike D’Antoni as their next coach, according to league sources.

Sources told ESPN.com that Rockets owner Leslie Alexander and general manager Daryl Morey traveled to Cleveland to hold separate interviews with Toronto Raptors assistant coach Rex Kalamian, Charlotte Hornets assistant Stephen Silas and Memphis Grizzlies assistant ‎Jeff Bzdelik.

Sources say Houston received permission from the respective teams that employ those coaches to interview them. But sources say the Rockets made it clear to all three candidates that the team is also looking for an associate head coach to work alongside D’Antoni in the event his deal is finalized in coming days, as widely expected now in league coaching circles.

As ESPN.com reported earlier this week, when D’Antoni initially emerged as a leading candidate, Houston officials want at least one overtly defensive-minded coach ‎on D’Antoni’s staff to essentially serve as his defensive coordinator.

Hornets assistant Stephen Silas is among the candidates being interviewed by the Rockets for their head coach opening. Rocky Widner/Getty Images

Alexander vowed to ESPN last month during the playoffs that he would take a more active role …

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