The Houston Rockets have agreed to hire Stephen Silas as head coach.

Silas was previously an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks.

The Rockets were reportedly sold on Silas' offensive ingenuity and his experience working under Rick Carlisle, Steve Clifford and Paul Silas.

The Dallas Mavericks had a trade in place with the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline for Danilo Gallinari, but the deal fell through when he signaled he would test free agency and not agree to an extension.

The Miami Heat were also interested in trading for Gallinari at the deadline. 

Gallinari is unlikely to re-sign with the Thunder and they could agree to a sign-and-trade with Dallas. Sign-and-trade agreements must be for a minimum of three seasons. 

The Dallas Mavericks have signaled to other teams that they would like to acquire a third star to add to their core of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, according to multiple league sources.

All players on the Mavericks are available beyond Doncic and Porzingis. Dallas would also be willing to take on bad salary from another team to help facilitate a trade, which runs counter to their previously perceived preference to maximize their 2021 cap space to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

The Mavericks own the 18th and 31st picks in the draft and have a strong desire to trade into the lottery.

Stephen Silas was scheduled to have a second interview with the Houston Rockets on Friday.

Silas is currently an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks.

The Rockets are believed to have identified Silas, Jeff Van Gundy and John Lucas as the three top candidates for their head coaching position.

Daryl Morey stepped down as general manager of the Rockets on Thursday, but it is not clear how that might impact their coaching search.

The Dallas Mavericks are willing to take on large salaries from a team in order to acquire a star player, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The Mavericks are building around Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, but have tried to maintain cap flexibility for 2021.

Dallas owes future first round picks in 2021 and 2023 to the New York Knicks as part of the Porzingis trade.

Jerami Grant will decline his $9.3 million player option for the 20-21 season to become a free agent, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Grant and the Denver Nuggets have significant mutual interest on a new deal.

The Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks are also expected to show interest in Grant.

Grant is capable of playing both forward positions and has improved as a three-point shooter.

Mark Cuban defended the NBA against criticism that the league has not done enough in condemning human rights abuses in China. The NBA's business practices in China have come under scrutiny over the past year following a Tweet from Daryl Morey in support of Hong Kong.

"I personally put a priority on domestic issues. I'm against human rights violations around the world," Cuban said in an interview with Megyn Kelly.

"Including the ones in China?" Kelly asked.

Kelly and Cuban then engaged in some crosstalk before he stated 

"Because they are a customer," Cuban ultimately said. "They are a customer of ours, and guess what, Megyn? I'm OK with doing business with China. And so we have to pick our battles. I wish we could solve all the world's problems. But we can't."

Cuban believes the NBA's disappointing ratings for the restart had nothing to do with politics and were instead issues with marketing. The Finals featured LeBron James in his second season with the NBA's most popular team the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I don't think it has anything to do with politics. I just think we don't have the match-up and the storylines, and we didn't do a good job promoting it," Cuban said.

The Dallas Mavericks are widely expected to preserve their cap space for the 2021 offseason when Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes a free agent.

"The Dallas Mavericks are gonna be at the head of the line in pursuing Giannis. They want to have a 3rd star," said Brian Windhorst on The Jump.

The Mavericks would offer Antetokounmpo the opportunity to team up with Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis.

"They want to keep their books clear for 2021," added Windhorst. "I wouldn't expect them to add any major free agents this year. They're going to wait."

Antetokounmpo is eligible for a supermax extension this offseason with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Kristaps Porzingis has undergone surgery for a lateral meniscus injury in his right knee.

Porzingis suffered the injury in Game 1 of the Dallas Mavericks' first round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Porzingis will begin rehab immediately and there is no timetable for when he will resume basketball activities. 

Jamahl Mosley could become a candidate for the head coaching vacancy with the Dallas Mavericks.

Mosley began his career with the Denver Nuggets before joining the Cleveland Cavaliers and then the Dallas Mavericks.

"I'm going to mention one name that I think is going to be a candidate there," said Tim MacMahon. "I definitely think fits the mould as far as being somebody who is extremely popular with players, is great with developing relationships with players, and has some history with David Griffin: That's Jamahl Mosley.

"He is Luka [Doncic's] go-to guy. He's the Mavericks' defensive coordinator, which is kind of you know... his job is to make chicken salad out of chicken feathers.

"I know Rick Carlisle feels... Mosley has interviewed for several other jobs. I believe he is going to interview with the Pelicans. I don't want to be firm there."

"I know some stuff I don't really want to say because I'd get in trouble," replied Brian Windhorst.