Borrego meeting extends last search to fill NBA opening

San Antonio Spurs assistant coach James Borrego had his follow-up meeting with owner Leslie Alexander on Wednesday, according to a person with knowledge of the Rockets’ coaching search, as the team moves another step closer to choosing a head coach.

Less clear was if Borrego should be considered a finalist for the position, as Philadelphia 76ers associate head coach Mike D’Antoni and Charlotte Hornets assistant Stephen Silas have been for the past week.

Borrego’s interview Monday with general manager Daryl Morey and his meeting on Wednesday with Alexander might not indicate the Rockets were satisfied with the candidates they had been considering, given their determination from the start of the process nearly four weeks ago to cast a wide net.

When the Rockets chose Kevin McHale in 2011, they spent six weeks interviewing and considering candidates and several weeks after the meeting with McHale before making him their coach.

Borrego had been considered a finalist for the position with the Memphis Grizzlies, but Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday that the Grizzlies have begun negotiations with Miami Heat assistant David Fizdale to make him their head coach. He has been with the Heat since the 2008-09 season and has been assistant head coach the past two seasons.

That would leave the Rockets with the last of 11 head coaching positions to be filled, with three — Orlando, Indiana and Memphis — becoming open and filled since the Rockets’ search began.

Silas could have a time crunch to make a decision. He met with the Golden State Warriors about becoming their lead assistant, and the Portland Trail Blazers also have received permission to talk to him. Silas has had previous stints with both teams.

The Warriors allowed some time for Silas to pursue the Rockets’ position, but at some point, he might choose to take the move up he has within reach rather than wait for the chance for the head coaching position. Former Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins would be Silas’ lead assistant with the Rockets, but a week after Silas joined D’Antoni as favorites to land the job, the Rockets were still conducting interviews.

That could indicate Borrego has moved up, but for now, the search process continues.