The Cavaliers' coaching derby is heading down the homestretch with former New York Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy and former New Orleans Hornets coach Paul Silas the front-runners.

But Silas, who had his second interview with the Cavs on Thursday, interviewed last night with the Houston Rockets.
   
Van Gundy, who interviewed in Houston, recently declined to pursue the opening in Philadelphia.

Sources have said that Van Gundy is the first choice of owner Gordon Gund and General Manager Jim Paxson but those same sources said Van Gundy wants more control over personnel matters than Silas, and Van Gundy also wants more money. It was reported that Van Gundy wants at least $7 million per season. That would make him the highest-paid coach along with Milwaukee's George Karl.