Cousins, Jones might have a chance to return to playoff mix.

HOUSTON >> The Warriors are not leaning on this scenario as an inseries adjustment. But Warriors coach Steve Kerr shared some encouraging news on the likelihood centers DeMarcus Cousins and Damian Jones could return at some point during the NBA playoffs.

“It’s a possibility he (Jones) could be back. Same with DeMarcus,” Kerr said on Sunday. “He’s coming along pretty well. We’ll just wait and see.”

Kerr said that Cousins has made “normal progression” after tearing a left quadricep muscle in his left leg in Game 2 of the Warriors-Clippers first-round series on April 24. After receiving clearance to complete spot-up shooting drills last week, Cousins traveled with the Warriors on their trip to Houston for Game 3 and Game 4. During that time, Cousins completed spot shooting drills after morning shootaround and sat with the team on the bench.

Kerr added that the Warriors’ training staff cleared Jones for contact drills beginning next week, which will include games of 3-on-3, after spending the past six months rehabbing a torn left pectoral muscle. During recent shootarounds and practices, Jones has participated in various shooting and conditioning drills as well as non-contact 3-on-3 scrimmages. He also has completed exercises to strengthen his left arm.

Without those two centers, the Warriors have increasingly relied on Draymond Green as the starting center as well as Kevon Looney as a reserve. Jonas Jerebko and Andrew Bogut have received occasional spot minutes.

First things first. The Warriors want to extend their 2-1 series lead against Houston in Game 4 on Monday after losing in Game

3. Neither Cousins nor Jones could return in time for the remainder of the Warriors-Rockets series since Game 5 (Wednesday) and a possible Game 6 (Friday) and Game 7 (May 12) take place this week.

“Getting either of those guys back or both will be good. But right now we have to focus on what we got,” Green said. “I think we have more than enough to win it all with what we have now. Getting those guys back will be an added bonus if we can.”

• Though he understands the Memphis Grizzlies have also interviewed other candidates for their head-coaching vacancy, Kerr argued that assistant Jarron Collins “is highly qualified to make his next move in the league.”

Collins interviewed recently with the Grizzlies almost a year after interviewing for the Atlanta Hawks position. Although the Hawks hired Lloyd Pierce, the Hawks were impressed with Collins’ interview and resume. The Warriors have also been pleased with Collins during the past five years on Kerr’s coaching staff.

After first hiring Collins as a player development coach for the 2014-15 season, Kerr then promoted Collins as an assistant coach the following season. Since then, Collins has taken a lead role in working with the team’s frontcourt players as well as helping with the team’s scouting reports. Cousins, who remains sidelined with a torn left quadricep muscle in his left leg, credited Collins for his help while rehabbing his left Achilles tendon and his subsequent return.

“He’s really really smart. Great communicator and collaborator,” Kerr said of Collins. “He’s been a fun guy to work with over the years. He just gets it. It’s a group effort and part of the team to do your share and you support everybody else. That’s what coaching is about. Jarron is really good.”

Those qualities remind the Warriors of what Collins showed in his 10-year NBA career as a dependable defender and screen setter in Utah (2001-09), Phoenix (2009-10), the Clippers and Portland (2010-11).

“He’s the same as when we played,” Klay Thompson said. “Very unselfish, puts the team first and will do anything to win. I think he’ll be a great coach.”

Kerr has strongly encouraged his assistants to interview for NBA head-coaching jobs so long as it does not interfere with the team’s schedule. Despite Collins’ interview, he remained with the team during its playoff run including for Monday’s contest against the Houston Rockets in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals. In past seasons, Luke Walton interviewed with the Los Angeles Lakers (2016) and Collins interviewed with Atlanta (2018) without conflicting with the Warriors’ playoff schedule.

“We want all of our coaches to expand their horizons and careers,” Kerr said. “If they get an opportunity like that, we’re all for it.”