The sudden vacancy of the Rockets' coaching position generated rare levels of attention -- and big-name buzz -- around the NBA, but Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said late Saturday his search has not begun.

That will start today, he said, when he and Rockets owner Leslie Alexander devise a "game plan."

"We're still trying to catch our breath," Dawson said.

But a source familiar with the decision-making said Dawson could call the New York Knicks as early as today to request permission to call former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy.