Chuck Hayes(notes) has been toiling for the Houston Rockets for six seasons and now appears ready to move on. The word from ESPN is that the 6-6, 238-pounder has been offered a four-year, $20 million contract by the Sacramento Kings that the team feels he’ll accept.

Fox Sports Houston has it that Hayes would like to return to the Rockets but doesn’t want to wait while the team sorts out all of its other free-agent possibilities.

“I talked to (Rockets general manager) Daryl Morey tonight and they need more time,” said Hayes’ agent, Calvin Andrews, on Wednesday, according to Fox. “So they are asking us for more time. I don’t know if Chuck can give them more time beyond tomorrow morning probably. I think tomorrow is D-Day.”

Hayes averaged 7.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 28:06 minutes per game last season.

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Related: Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings

By Sports Direct

Houston, TX (Sports Network) – Ray Patterson, who was the president of the
Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets, passed away on Wednesday at the age of
89.

Steve Patterson, a former Rockets manager and son of Ray, said that his father
passed away at his home in a suburb of Houston after a battle with heart and
lung disease.

He was the first president of the expansion Milwaukee Bucks, who came into the
league in the 1968-69 season and won their only NBA title two seasons later.

“The entire Milwaukee Bucks organization and Bucks fans throughout Wisconsin
mourn the passing of Ray Patterson,” Bucks owner and president Senator Herb
Kohl said Thursday. “Ray was a catalyst for the early growth and unprecedented
success of the Milwaukee Bucks franchise as its first President. He was a pro
basketball advocate, knew Wisconsin and its people, and helped build the
foundation for Bucks NBA basketball. Our condolences go to his wife, Ruth, and
the entire Patterson family.”

He went on to become the president and general manager of the Houston Rockets
at the start of the 1972-73 season and the team went to the NBA Finals twice
before he left in 1990.

The Sports Network

HOUSTON – Ray Patterson, who presided over one NBA title and four conference titles as president of the Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets, has died at the age of 89.

Patterson’s son, former Rockets general manager Steve Patterson, says his father died Wednesday evening at home in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land after a long battle with heart and lung diseases. Funeral arrangements are pending.

KRIV-TV of Houston first reported Patterson’s death.

Patterson was the first president of the expansion Milwaukee Bucks, who won the 1971 NBA title in their third year after formation. The Houston Rockets hired him as their president and general manager after their first season in Houston in 1971-72. The Rockets went to the NBA finals twice under his management and hosted the 1989 All-Star game.

HOUSTON (AP) – Ray Patterson, who presided over one NBA title and four conference titles as president of the Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets, has died at the age of 89.

Patterson’s son, former Rockets general manager Steve Patterson,
says his father died Wednesday evening at home in the Houston
suburb of Sugar Land after a long battle with heart and lung diseases. Funeral arrangements are pending.

KRIV-TV of Houston first reported Patterson’s death.

Patterson was the first president of the expansion Milwaukee Bucks, who won the 1971 NBA title in their third year after formation. The Houston Rockets hired him as their president and general manager after their first season in Houston in 1971-72. The Rockets went to the NBA finals twice under his management and hosted the 1989 All-Star game.

HOUSTON (AP) — Ray Patterson, who presided over one NBA title and four conference titles as president of the Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets, has died at the age of 89.

Patterson’s son, former Rockets general manager Steve Patterson, says his father died Wednesday evening at home in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land after a long battle with heart and lung diseases. Funeral arrangements are pending.

KRIV-TV of Houston first reported Patterson’s death.

Patterson was the first president of the expansion Milwaukee Bucks, who won the 1971 NBA title in their third year after formation. The Houston Rockets hired him as their president and general manager after their first season in Houston in 1971-72. The Rockets went to the NBA finals twice under his management and hosted the 1989 All-Star game.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Ray Patterson, who presided over one NBA title and four conference titles as president of the Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets, has died at the age of 89.

Patterson’s son, former Rockets general manager Steve Patterson, says his father died Wednesday evening at home in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land after a long battle with heart and lung diseases. Funeral arrangements are pending.

KRIV-TV of Houston first reported Patterson’s death.

Patterson was the first president of the expansion Milwaukee Bucks, who won the 1971 NBA title in their third year after formation. The Houston Rockets hired him as their president and general manager after their first season in Houston in 1971-72. The Rockets went to the NBA finals twice under his management and hosted the 1989 all-star game.

HOUSTON (AP) — Ray Patterson, who presided over one NBA title and four conference titles as president of the Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets, has died at the age of 89.

Patterson’s son, former Rockets general manager Steve Patterson, says his father died Wednesday evening at home in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land after a long battle with heart and lung diseases. Funeral arrangements are pending.

KRIV-TV of Houston first reported Patterson’s death.

Patterson was the first president of the expansion Milwaukee Bucks, who won the 1971 NBA title in their third year after formation. The Houston Rockets hired him as their president and general manager after their first season in Houston in 1971-72. The Rockets went to the NBA finals twice under his management and hosted the 1989 All-Star game.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

HOUSTON (AP)—Ray Patterson, who presided over one NBA title and four
conference titles as president of the Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets, has
died at the age of 89.

Patterson’s son, former Rockets general manager Steve Patterson, says his
father died Wednesday evening at home in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land after
a long battle with heart and lung diseases. Funeral arrangements are pending.

KRIV-TV of Houston first reported Patterson’s death.

Patterson was the first president of the expansion Milwaukee Bucks, who won
the 1971 NBA title in their third year after formation. The Houston Rockets
hired him as their president and general manager after their first season in
Houston in 1971-72. The Rockets went to the NBA finals twice under his
management and hosted the 1989 All-Star game.

HOUSTON (AP)—Ray Patterson, who presided over one NBA title and four
conference titles as president of the Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets, has
died at the age of 89.

Patterson’s son, former Rockets general manager Steve Patterson, says his
father died Wednesday evening at home in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land after
a long battle with heart and lung diseases. Funeral arrangements are pending.

KRIV-TV of Houston first reported Patterson’s death.

Patterson was the first president of the expansion Milwaukee Bucks, who won
the 1971 NBA title in their third year after formation. The Houston Rockets
hired him as their president and general manager after their first season in
Houston in 1971-72. The Rockets went to the NBA finals twice under his
management and hosted the 1989 All-Star game.

HOUSTON – Los Angeles Lakers assistant Chuck Person interviewed with Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale and General Manager Daryl Morey Monday in Houston.

Person becomes the third known candidate to interview with the Rockets as the team builds McHale’s staff.

When reached by FOX 26 Sports in Houston, Person declined comment.

The Rockets have also met with Denver Nuggets assistant Melvin Hunt and Memphis Grizzlies assistant David Joerger.

Person, who just completed his first season with Lakers, has also worked as an assistant for the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Person played 13 years in the NBA and was named Rookie of the Year in 1987.

POSTED: Friday, June 3, 2011

UPDATED: 10:51 am CDT June 3, 2011

It’s official: Hall of Famer Kevin McHale is headed to Houston.

Confirming numerous reports over the past couple days, McHale said Tuesday night he has agreed to become the Rockets’ next coach. The former Boston Celtics great takes over for Rick Adelman, who left the team days after his fourth season in Houston ended.

“I was a little uncertain whether I was going to jump in with both feet — I wanted it to be the right situation — but after spending time with them, I felt this is a good situation to get involved in,” McHale told NBA.com before Game 1 of the NBA finals.

McHale’s first coaching experience came when he took over the Timberwolves for the last 31 games of the 2005 season after he fired Flip Saunders. The longtime Minnesota executive went back to the front office after that, then returned to coach in 2008 after Randy Wittman was fired.

McHale, 53, went 20-43 after taking over that season before the Timberwolves let him go. He had been working as a TV analyst.

“Kevin’s experiences as a player, coach and general manager, coupled with his tremendous knowledge of the game and players, made him a terrific analyst for NBA TV and TNT,” Turner Sports President David Levy said in a release. “Our audience will miss his diverse perspective and terrific sense of humour. We wish Kevin the best of luck in his new role as head coach of the Houston Rockets.”

Houston has missed the playoffs the last two years as it dealt with injuries that have limited all-star centre Yao Ming to just five games since 2008-09. That season Houston reached the Western Conference semifinals, breaking a streak of seven consecutive first-round exits for the franchise.

Yao’s contract expires this summer, but he has said he hopes to continue playing for the Rockets when he recovers from the stress fracture to his left ankle.

McHale was the third overall pick in the 1980 draft, won three championships with the Celtics and was honoured as one of the 50 greatest NBA players of all time in 1996.

HOUSTON —
It’s official: Hall of Famer Kevin McHale is headed to Houston.

Confirming numerous reports over the past couple days, McHale said Tuesday night he has agreed to become the Rockets’ next coach. The former Boston Celtics great takes over for Rick Adelman, who left the team days after his fourth season in Houston ended. “I was a little uncertain whether I was going to jump in with both feet — I wanted it to be the right situation — but after spending time with them, I felt this is a good situation to get involved in,” McHale told NBA.com before Game 1 of the NBA finals. McHale’s first coaching experience came when he took over the Timberwolves for the last 31 games of the 2005 season after he fired Flip Saunders. The longtime Minnesota executive went back to the front office after that, then returned to coach in 2008 after Randy Wittman was fired. McHale, 53, went 20-43 after taking over that season before the Timberwolves let him go. He had been working as a TV analyst. “Kevin’s experiences as a player, coach and general manager, coupled with his tremendous knowledge of the game and players, made him a terrific analyst for NBA TV and TNT,” Turner Sports President David Levy said in a release. “Our audience will miss his diverse perspective and terrific sense of humor. We wish Kevin the best of luck in his new role as head coach of the Houston Rockets.” Houston has missed the playoffs the last two years as it dealt with injuries that have limited All-Star center Yao Ming to just five games since 2008-09. That season Houston reached the Western Conference semifinals, breaking a streak of seven consecutive first-round exits for the franchise. Yao’s contract expires this summer, but he has said he hopes to continue playing for the Rockets when he recovers from the stress fracture to his left ankle. McHale was the third overall pick in the 1980 draft, won three championships with the Celtics and was honored as one of the 50 greatest NBA players of all time in 1996.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Kevin McHale has agreed to become the next coach of the Houston Rockets.

McHale’s hire was originally reported on Friday. The TNT analyst confirmed that he had agreed to take the position on NBA TV’s pregame show before Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

“Doing the TV has been fantastic,” McHale told NBA.com Tuesday. “But this was a chance. It came up, I talked to them. I was a little uncertain whether I was going to jump in with both feet — I wanted it to be the right situation — but after spending time with them, I felt this is a good situation to get involved in.”

According to NBA.com, McHale will sign a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year. The former Boston Celtics star expects to be introduced as coach Friday in Houston, the website said.

McHale, formerly the Minnesota Timberwolves’ general manager, was 39-55 in two stints as the Wolves’ interim coach. He was 19-12 after taking over for Flip Saunders in the 2004-05 season and posted a 20-43 mark after replacing Randy Wittman for the final 63 games in the 2008-09 season.

“I had really wanted to coach again,” McHale told NBA.com. “You miss the competition when you’re away from it. That’s what I missed the last couple of years. I’ve done it my whole life.

“From a coaching standpoint, you have a lot more [impact] on the outcome of the game than when you’re GM-ing. My last stint with the guys in Minnesota, I really enjoyed myself with them. It was a younger team and I had a lot of fun doing it.”

McHale’s time as an executive in Minnesota was highlighted by drafting Kevin Garnett out of high school in 1995. Other moves and draft decisions didn’t go over as well with fans and he began to draw criticism.

Houston has missed the playoffs the last two years as it dealt with injuries that have limited All-Star center Yao Ming to just five games since the 2008-09 season. That year, Houston reached the Western Conference semifinals, breaking a streak of seven consecutive first-round exits for the franchise.

Yao’s contract expires this summer, but he has said he hopes to continue playing for the Rockets when he recovers from the stress fracture to his left ankle.

McHale was the third overall pick in the 1980 draft, won three championships with the Celtics and was named one of the 50 greatest NBA players of all time in 1996.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read More: Houston Rockets

Kevin McHale has been hired as the Houston Rockets’ new head coach, according to Yahoo!’s Adrian Wojnarowski. News broke Thursday that, after three interviews with the former general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Rockets offered McHale the job. Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle has reported that the deal will go three seasons with a team option on the fourth year. Justice said the final item to hammer out was direction over the rest of the coaching staff.

McHale met with Rockets owner Leslie Alexander this week after interviewing twice with general manager Daryl Morey. The fit is an interesting one; Morey is the face of the advanced metric vanguard, and McHale is seen as an old-school basketball type who relies more on eyes than spreadsheets. McHale served as the general manager of the Wolves for more than a decade after his Hall-of-Fame career with the Boston Celtics ended. Under McHale’s watch, Minnesota drafted Kevin Garnett and made a string of postseason appearances. But the Wolves made it so far as the conference finals just once, in 2004.

Wojnarowski reports that the Rockets will have strong input into McHale’s staff, with D-League coach Chris Finch — who runs the Rockets-affiliated Rio Grande Valley Vipers and Great Britain’s senior men’s national team — expected to move into a spot on the Houston bench.

For more on the Rockets, visit The Dream Shake and SB Nation Houston.