Jeff Van Gundy, the former coach of the Knicks, met yesterday with executives of the Washington Wizards to discuss their vacant head coaching position, according to two Eastern Conference officials. The Knicks, who hold the contractual rights to Van Gundy until July 31, gave the Wizards permission to speak with Van Gundy yesterday morning.

Van Gundy is also scheduled to meet today with Carroll Dawson, the general manager of the Houston Rockets, and to tour Houston and the Rockets' new arena.

A Rockets spokesman, Nelson Luis, confirmed the plans for today, which were first reported yesterday by The Houston Chronicle. Van Gundy has already met once with Rockets officials.

Leslie Alexander, Houston's owner, is not scheduled to meet with Van Gundy today, Luis said. Alexander's absence could delay any plans by the team to make Van Gundy an offer.