HoopsHype.com Rumors

And what of the head-coaching position? The hot names that are out there have been said over and over and over again - from Mike Malone to Fred Hoiberg to Kelvin Sampson to Nate McMillan to Larry Drew to Michael Curry and everyone in between. Said yet another league executive: "I hear the coaching search isn't at the top of their list right now. I hear they're concentrating on other areas and will address the coaching vacancy after a couple of weeks." Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Nate McMillan, Larry Drew, Kelvin Sampson, Mike Malone, Michael Curry, Fred Hoiberg 

Marc Stein: Word is Lakers assistant coach Steve Clifford gets his interview for Bobcats' HC opening Tuesday. CHA interviewed Kelvin Sampson last week Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Charlotte Bobcats, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson, Steve Clifford 

Onetime Indiana University coach Kelvin Sampson, fired a little more than five years ago, is in the mix for four of the six NBA head coaching openings. Sampson, 57, has interviewed for the vacant positions at both Milwaukee and Charlotte, and is expected to interview for the openings in Philadelphia and Phoenix this week, a source close to the situation told CBSSports.com. CBSSports.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

Asked about a report that the Sixers had asked for permission to talk to Rockets assistant coach Kelvin Sampson about their coaching vacancy, Hinkie said: "I'm not even there yet. I won't confirm or deny, but I will say I don't know where that came from." Philadelphia Inquirer

Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

The 76ers have received permission to interview Houston assistant Kelvin Sampson. However, if they are going to talk to him they had better do it quickly as Sampson has already drawn a lot of interests from other teams. Philadelphia Inquirer

Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

McDonough has yet to set up any formal meetings with candidates, but a league source told Yahoo! Sports that he's been calling for background on coaches including Utah Jazz assistant Jeff Hornacek, Moscow CSKA assistant Quin Snyder, Houston Rockets assistants J.B. Bickerstaff and Kelvin Sampson and Los Angeles Lakers assistant Steve Clifford, among others. Yahoo! Sports

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson, Jeff Hornacek, Quin Snyder, Steve Clifford, Ryan McDonough 

Marc Stein: Kelvin Sampson had his long-anticipated interview w/Charlotte today. Next up for Bobcats: Steve Clifford after his interview w/Bucks today Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Charlotte Bobcats, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson, Steve Clifford 

Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Steve Clifford is interviewing with the Milwaukee Bucks for their head-coaching job on Monday, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Milwaukee has interviewed Nate McMillan and Houston Rockets assistants Kelvin Sampson and J.B. Bickerstaff for its head-coaching job. Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Lakers, Nate McMillan, Kelvin Sampson, JB Bickerstaff, Steve Clifford, Milwuakee Bucks 

Yannis Koutroupis: Don't be surprised is Kelvin Sampson emerges as a candidate for 76ers job. Hinkie knows him very well, he's impressed this season. Twitter @YannisHW

Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson, Sam Hinkie 

Houston Rockets assistant J.B. Bickerstaff is interviewing Friday for the Bucks head coaching job, a source confirmed. Bickerstaff's interview comes one day after another Rockets assistant, former Bucks assistant Kelvin Sampson, had an extended interview with Bucks officials. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson, JB Bickerstaff 

Gery Woelfel: Bucks wined and dined Nate McMillan yesterday; will entertain Kelvin Sampson tomorrow. Twitter @GeryWoelfel

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Nate McMillan, Kelvin Sampson 

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 

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 

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 

According to a source, the Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Bobcats also have requested permission to interview Sampson. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Charlotte Bobcats, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

The Milwaukee Bucks are planning interviews with Nate McMillan and Kelvin Sampson this week for the franchise's head-coaching job, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. McMillan and Sampson, a Houston Rockets assistant, are two of Milwaukee general manager John Hammond's top candidates for the job, league sources said. Yahoo! Sports

Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Nate McMillan, Kelvin Sampson 

Gery Woelfel: Some prominent NBA officials insist Kelvin Sampson has been and still is Bucks' top choice as new head coach. Twitter @GeryWoelfel

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

Mark Berman: Leslie Alexander on possibly losing ass't Kelvin Sampson:"Kelvin is a good coach. We hate to lose anybody,but people have a right 2 move up" Twitter @MarkBermanFox26

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale, Kelvin Sampson, Leslie Alexander