Houston Rocket's list of candidates for the team's vacant head coaching post continues to increase.

According to ESPN, Philadelphia 76ers associate head coach Mike D'Antoni is reportedly in Houston this week for an interview with the Rockets. The Leslie Alexander-owned basketball organization has secured permission from the Sixers to speak with the 64-year-old tactician.

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J.B. Bickerstaff, who served as the Rockets' interim coach upon the termination of Kevin McHale from the position, has allegedly withdrawn from consideration after an interview on Monday with the team's officials.  Bickerstaff, 37, registered a 37-34 record and helped the Southwest division team rally into a playoff spot despite its season-long defensive struggles.

D'Antoni won tje Coach of the Year award in 2005 after the Phoenix Suns went 62-20 to finish on top in the regular season. He also guided the Robert Sarver-owned team to two consecutive Western Conference Finals appearances in 2005 and 2006.

The Marshall University Thundering Herd product was selected to the coaching staff of the Team USA under the watch of head coach Mike Krzyzewski for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing China and 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom.

Aside from the Phoenix Suns, D'Antoni has also worked with the Denver Nuggets, the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers. A veteran of 12 NBA season as a head bench tactician, D'Antoni compiled a coaching record of 455-426.

The Rockets have reportedly interviewed the team's former point guard and the current Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Sam Cassell. The Rockets have allegedly also taled with assistant Chris Finch about taking up the position. Finch has been working the Rockets since 2011.

The Rockets finished the 2015-16 regular season eighth in Western Conference. They failed to advance to the second round of the playoffs after getting eliminated by the top-seeded Golden State Warriors 4-1.

TagsMike D'Antoni, houston rockets, NBA news, NBA 2016, 2016 nba playoffs, phoenix suns