HoopsHype.com Rumors

Jeff Caplan: Westbrook had no further opinion on Beverley play that took him out: "Really something I can’t answer. I just hope it wasn’t a dirty play." Twitter @Caplan_NBA

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Injuries, Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley 

Mark Berman: NBA sources told FOX 26 Sports the Detroit Pistons contacted the Rockets and requested permission to interview ass't coach J.B. Bickerstaff. Twitter @MarkBermanFox26

Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Coaching, JB Bickerstaff 

Houston Rockets assistant coach J.B. Bickerstaff will interview for the Detroit Pistons' head coaching job on Wednesday, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Sports

Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Coaching, JB Bickerstaff 

Howard Chen: McHale on FGarcia: "He's a great guy. I think everyone in this locker room really likes him. I know the staff loves him." #RedNation Twitter @ho_chenCSN

Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Francisco Garcia 

Jonathan Feigen: James Harden: ' We finally have a team now where we don't have to worry about trades. We can grow. Guys can know their roles.' Twitter @Jonathan_Feigen

Houston Rockets, James Harden 

Sources say you can also add Rockets assistant Kelvin Sampson's name to that group out of the running. Sampson, though, does remain a top contender in Milwaukee and Charlotte. ESPN.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

Mark Berman: Kevin McHale on Kelvin Sampson: "He would be a tremendous (NBA) head coach. I would miss him. I really rely on Kelvin a lot. Great coach." Twitter @MarkBermanFox26

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale, Kelvin Sampson 

The Pistons, according to NBA coaching sources, are adding Houston Rockets assistant J.B. Bickerstaff to the list of candidates they're considering to replace the ousted Lawrence Frank. ESPN.com

Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Coaching, JB Bickerstaff 

The same reporter asked a follow-up on if Lin would be opposed to the Rockets possibly asking Lin to come off the bench next season. "I don't think your role is limited to starting or coming off the bench," Lin responded. "It just depends on what your role is when you play and how you play and you can look at what Jarrett Jack (of the Warriors) has done. So it just depends." CSN Houston

Houston Rockets, Jeremy Lin 

That said, Lin is clearly not resting on his laurels. Ever since the Rockets' season ended Saturday after Game Six, he has talked about improving in multiple facets of his game and emerging a stronger force for next season. "(I'm working on) just becoming a better offensive and defensive player," Lin said. "And just comprehensively looking at my turnovers, missed shots, and defensive breakdowns." And, unlike last year, he now has an entire offseason where he doesn't have to think about learning a new system. He can focus on improving upon what he already learned. "I'm just going into something that I'm more comfortable in, you know, not having to wonder or hope or have it be a complete mystery," Lin said. "Next year, I'll have a good idea about the organization, my teammates, the city, everything. I'm really looking forward to it." CSN Houston

Houston Rockets, Jeremy Lin 

With the Rockets expected to make a run in free agency at Lakers center Dwight Howard, Rockets center Omer Asik said he has not given a thought to how Howard might impact his position with the team or if they could play together. “It’s all things that happen out of my control,” Asik said. “I really don’t know and I really don’t care. Whether it happens, we’ll see. I’m just looking forward to rest and getting better for the next season.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Omer Asik, Dwight Howard 

Aaron Brooks, like the other Rockets players who had exit interviews Monday, said he need to work on things during the summer. Apparently, dry stand-up humor is among his career goals. On his conversation with coach Kevin McHale: “He just said I was delightful, the best player he ever coached. That’s pretty much it. It was a good meeting.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Aaron Brooks 

Mark Berman: Patrick Beverley on attention he's received w/ the Rockets:"Now I've been able to go in restaurants & I don't have to wait in line anymore." Twitter @MarkBermanFox26

Houston Rockets, Patrick Beverley 

Asik will join the Turkish national team for its World Championships qualifying tournament this summer. Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Omer Asik 

NBA sources told FOX 26 Sports the Philadelphia 76ers requested permission from the Houston Rockets to speak with assistant coach Kelvin Sampson. FOX 26 Sports

Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

Mark Berman: At least 3 teams requested permission to interview Rockets ass't Kelvin Sampson. Latest according to sources: 76ers along w/ Bucks & Bobcats Twitter @MarkBermanFox26

Charlotte Bobcats, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

Howard Chen: Aaron Brooks' contract not guaranteed for nxt yr, would be $2.5 mill. Says team hasn't given him indication yet if he'll be back. #RedNation Twitter @ho_chenCSN

Houston Rockets, Aaron Brooks 

Howard Chen: Francisco Garcia says Rockets a special group w how tight they are. Would love to come back. Rockets have $6.4 mill team option. #RedNation Twitter @ho_chenCSN

Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Francisco Garcia 

Former Bucks assistant coach Kelvin Sampson is scheduled to interview for Milwaukee's head coaching job on Thursday, according to a basketball source. The Bucks asked Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey for permission to interview Sampson, currently an assistant to Rockets head coach Kevin McHale. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Daryl Morey, Kelvin Sampson 

Yao Ming, the former Houston Rockets superstar, believes a Filipino will someday make it to the National Basketball Association. Yao, who arrived Saturday night, said with China and other countries in Asia able to produce NBA players, it's only a matter of time before the Philippines can also make a splash into the NBA scene. "There are Iran players [in the NBA] and I believe there will be a Filipino in the NBA in the future," Yao, who said through interpreter Guo Weisheng during the Philippines-China Friendship Games presser held at the Solaire Resort & Casino in Paranaque City Sunday morning. Yahoo! Sports Philippines

Houston Rockets, Yao Ming, Philippines