The Rockets took a small step toward adding former New York Knicks star Patrick Ewing to their new coaching staff Friday, receiving permission from the Washington Wizards to talk to their assistant coach.

Ewing's contract with the Wizards expires at the end of the month and he was not expected to be back. Though new Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy and Ewing, 40, had spoken about a reunion before Van Gundy became Rockets coach Wednesday, Van Gundy needed the Wizards' consent for serious talks.

Van Gundy said Wednesday that he had many former players and assistants to talk to about joining him with the Rockets. Van Gundy met with the Rockets assistant coaches Thursday.