Rick Adelman is out as coach of the Houston Rockets.

The team announced that the Rockets and Adelman "have mutually agreed to part ways." Adelman's contract expires on June 30.

The Rockets want their new coach to play their young players and embrace their creativity in the free-agent market, which doesn't sound like a team adamant about winning immediately. Adelman, who turns 65 on June 16, just completed the last year of his contract.

Injuries to Yao Ming – and Tracy McGrady in past seasons – prevented him from coaching the roster he envisioned he'd have in Houston.

Rockets assistant Elston Turner and former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown are considered to be among the candidates for the job.

Adelman went 193-135 in four seasons with the Rockets. The .588 winning percentage was the highest among the 11 full-time coaches the franchise has had. Adelman led the Rockets to their only playoff series victory since 1997. His career record is 945-616 and ranks eighth in all-time wins.