Former Rockets forward lands new NBA coaching job

The 2019-20 Houston Rockets were very different from previous iterations of the team, as they traded Chris Paul for Russell Westbrook before the start of the season, effectively ending the Chris Paul-James Harden experiment.

In Westbrook, the team landed a more dynamic and explosive athlete, who had a better relationship with Harden, as the two grew up together in the Los Angeles area. Midway through the season, the team also traded Clint Capela, in exchange for Robert Covington, ending the Harden-Capela connection.

The team decided to adopt a small-ball strategy, relying on wings with formidable wingspan. After the Covington deal, the Rockets used the buyout market to strengthen their roster.

DeMarre Carroll was one of the first players signed by the franchise, with the San Antonio Spurs acquiring him as part of his new contract. Carroll was expected to contribute defensively to the team, although his limited playing time made that nearly impossible.

Carroll retired after the 2019-20 season and began coaching shortly after, joining Mike Budenholzer’s coaching staff with the Milwaukee Bucks ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Last season, Carroll joined Darvin Ham’s team with the Los Angeles Lakers.

This week, the former Houston Rockets forward joined Kenny Atkinson’s staff with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Atkinson replaced former Rockets coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who coached the Rockets in 2015-16 after Kevin McHale was fired midseason.

Atkinson has had coaching stints in recent years, even taking the 2022 Charlotte Hornets head coach job before changing his mind and stepping down. Atkinson will be tasked with doing what Bickerstaff couldn’t: leading the Cavs to the NBA Finals.

So far, the Cavs haven’t even reached the Eastern Conference Finals under Bickerstaff. In fact, you’d have to go back to the LeBron James era to find the last time that happened in Cleveland.

Carroll will gain valuable experience with the Cavs and be one step closer to landing a head coaching job.