HoopsHype.com Rumors

Clifford becomes the sixth known candidate to fill the opening created when the Bobcats fired Mike Dunlap last month. The others: Former Phoenix Suns coach Alvin Gentry and four assistants: Nate Tibbetts (Cleveland), Kelvin Sampson (Houston), Jeff Hornacek (Utah) and Elston Turner (most recently with the Suns). Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson, Alvin Gentry, Jeff Hornacek, Elston Turner, Nate Tibbetts 

Gery Woelfel: The Bucks haven't requested permission from Rockets to speak to Kelvin Sampson; they don't need permission to talk to his agent, though. Twitter @GeryWoelfel

Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

Howard Chen: Kelvin Sampson: he has not spoken to any teams about coaching vacancies yet. Focus now on Rockets ball, but yes it's flattering. #RedNation Twitter @ho_chenCSN

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

he list of known candidates for the Charlotte Bobcats head-coaching job is at five and probably growing. Various news sources have identified four current NBA assistants, plus Shelby native Alvin Gentry, who has been a head coach with four NBA teams. The assistants (in alphabetical order): Jeff Hornacek (Utah Jazz), Kelvin Sampson (Houston Rockets), Nate Tibbetts (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Elston Turner (most recently with the Phoenix Suns). Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson, Alvin Gentry, Jeff Hornacek, Elston Turner, Nate Tibbetts 

Gery Woelfel: Milwaukee isn't only team keenly interested in Kelvin Sampson. Charlotte, Detroit and Philadelphia also have him on their radar. Twitter @GeryWoelfel

Charlotte Bobcats, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

Gery Woelfel: Bobcats could save moving expenses by hiring Kelvin Sampson, who already has a home in Charlotte. Twitter @GeryWoelfel

Charlotte Bobcats, Houston Rockets, Injuries, Kelvin Sampson 

The Bucks will interview Van Gundy and Sampson, the Rockets' top assistant, for the job vacated Wednesday when interim coach Jim Boylan was let go, league sources said. It is also believed that Lakers assistant Steve Clifford -- a Van Gundy assistant in Orlando (under Stan) and Houston (under Jeff) -- will be under consideration. CBSSports.com

Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Stan Van Gundy, Kelvin Sampson 

The Pistons are pursuing Sampson and McMillan, the former Trail Blazers coach, sources said. Team president Joe Dumars has long admired McMillan, and owner Tom Gores is taking a leading role in the search. "He's looking to put his stamp on this one," a person familiar with Gores' approach said. CBSSports.com

Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Coaching, Nate McMillan, Kelvin Sampson 

Sampson is well-regarded within the Bucks organization and the Bucks will aggressively pursue him along with Van Gundy, sources said. Sampson spent two seasons as an assistant with former Bucks coach Scott Skiles, and he knows the organization well. Sampson has drawn significant interest as a head-coaching candidate this spring. Charlotte will interview him soon, and Philadelphia and Detroit also could reach out to meet with him, sources said. Yahoo! Sports

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

In addition, Sampson is a potential candidate for Brooklyn and the Los Angeles Clippers, if those teams make coaching changes. Yahoo! Sports

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

Adrian Wojnarowski: With Jim Boylan out as interim coach, Stan Van Gundy and Kelvin Sampson will be two top targets for Milwaukee, league sources tell Y! Twitter @WojYahooNBA

Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Stan Van Gundy, Kelvin Sampson, Jim Boylan 

Former Bucks assistant and current Houston Rockets assistant Kelvin Sampson is considered a possible candidate. The Rockets are playing Game 5 of their playoff series against Oklahoma City on Wednesday night. Sampson also is considered a candidate for the vacant coaching position in Charlotte. And the Bucks could be intrigued if current Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins does not have his contract extended. Hollins is in the final year of a three-year contract. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Lionel Hollins, Kelvin Sampson 

Marc Stein: Rockets assistant Kelvin Sampson is already a candidate in Charlotte and will be among candidates to replace Jim Boylan in Milwaukee Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Charlotte Bobcats, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson, Jim Boylan 

Jonathan Feigen: Absolutely expect Kelvin Sampson to hear from Milwaukee, too. Sampson said he does not want to consider positions during the series. Twitter @Jonathan_Feigen

Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

The Charlotte Bobcats have requested permission to talk with Rockets assistant coach Kelvin Sampson about their vacant head coaching position, a person with knowledge of the discussions said today. Houston Chronicle

Charlotte Bobcats, Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

Jonathan Feigen: Charlotte Bobcats have asked for permission to interview Rockets assistant Kelvin Sampson, source said. Sampson, an NC native, very ready. Twitter @Jonathan_Feigen

Charlotte Bobcats, Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

Another candidate known to interest Detroit is Houston Rockets assistant coach Kelvin Sampson, who is also projected in coaching circles to be a candidate for the Milwaukee Bucks' job when the Rockets' playoff run is over. ESPN.com

Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

When Sasha McHale died, it seemed that the entire NBA hugged McHale, just as his players had at the memorial service and as Kevin Garnett would do so memorably after McHale returned in mid-December and the Rockets played the Celtics. By then, it was clear that some pain cannot be cried out. "He and I sit beside each other on road trips," Sampson said. "He was, understandably so, withdrawn. You'd catch him just staring off into space a lot. You knew what he was thinking about. After we made the playoffs, I texted him and told him how proud I was of him. When you think about the ups and downs of a season and what he has had to do, it really is incredible." Houston Chronicle

Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Kevin Garnett, Kelvin Sampson 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Among GM's, here are strongest names in assistant pool: Kelvin Sampson (Hou), Mike Malone (GS), Steve Clifford (LAL), Quin Snyder (Russia). Twitter @WojYahooNBA

Coaching, Kelvin Sampson, Mike Malone, Quin Snyder, Steve Clifford 

Nate McMillan is the early speculative favorite on the list of coaches Dumars might consider. Like a prime Tiger Woods in a golf tournament, size of field could be the former Seattle and Portland coach's biggest obstacle. The Van Gundy brothers also might hold some intrigue. Among those who have not been NBA head coaches, Brian Shaw, a perennial bridesmaid for head-coaching jobs, and Kelvin Sampson also might fit the profile of coaches Dumars might consider. Booth Newspapers

Detroit Pistons, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Joe Dumars, Nate McMillan, Stan Van Gundy, Jeff Van Gundy, Kelvin Sampson