Candace Buckner

IndyStar

CHICAGO — Larry Bird may have a “list” of potential coaches for the Indiana Pacers, but he's not revealing it to anyone — including the candidates.

On Thursday when asked about progress of the coaching search, Bird, Pacers president of basketball operations, said: “Haven’t started yet.”

Bird and a front-office contingent are in Chicago for the NBA draft combine. Flanked by general manager Kevin Pritchard, director of scouting Ryan Carr and vice president of basketball operations Peter Dinwiddie among others, Bird spent several hours watching 5-on-5 action inside the Quest Multisport gym.

Also, the Pacers have conducted interviews with prospective draft picks with workouts beginning next week at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The team has the No. 20 pick in the June 23 draft.

So the Pacers appear to be going about business as usual — while not illuminating much about their important business.

Bird — he began the brief interview with IndyStar by declaring: “I have nothing to say” — confirmed that he has not even had a conversation with an agent for a prospective coach. Though Bird said that Pritchard “talks to agents every day,” he did not disclose if any of those conversations were related to the coaching search.

On May 5, Bird announced that Frank Vogel would not return as head coach.

“I got a list of guys and I’m just putting it together,” Bird said during the news conference.

Though nearly a week has passed since the announcement, only scarce details about potential candidates exist. If the Pacers appear to be taking their time, they’re not the only ones.

Vogel, who led the Pacers for more than five seasons, has talked to the Houston Rockets about their coaching vacancy, a league source confirmed. However, no formal interview has been scheduled as Vogel wants to spend time with his family.

Follow IndyStar Pacers Insider Candace Buckner on Twitter: @CandaceDBuckner.