National Basketball Association

McHale leading candidate for Rockets job

Published May. 21, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Boston Celtics great Kevin McHale is the favorite for the Houston Rockets coaching job, and could receive a formal offer as soon as this week, Yahoo! Sports reported Saturday citing multiple sources.

A official decision is yet to be made, but the sources said McHale had impressed in final talks with Rockets officials Thursday in Chicago, moving him ahead of fellow candidates, Mavs assistant Dwane Casey and Celtics assistant Lawrence Frank, in the race.

According to the report, although details of the contract will need to be agreed upon should an offer be made, McHale "is too anxious for a chance to coach to reject a deal."

McHale was the Timberwolves Vice President of Basketball Operations from 1995 until midway through the 2005 season, when he took over as head coach.

After going 19-12 the rest of the 2005 season, McHale returned to the Timberwolves front office, only to coach the team again during the 2008-2009 season.

His overall record during his two stints with Minnesota was 39-55.

McHale did not return to the Timberwolves organization after the 2008-09 season and is currently a TNT analyst.