Ime Udoka, head coach of the Houston Rockets, has secured a long-term contract extension, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. This new deal positions Udoka as one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA, further confirmed by Kelly Iko of The Athletic.
Since taking charge of the team in 2023, Udoka has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for the Rockets. Previously, the franchise struggled, winning only 17, 20, and 22 games in consecutive years before his arrival. Under his leadership in the 2023/24 season, Houston achieved a balanced record of 41-41. Building on this momentum, the Rockets improved significantly this season, finishing with a stellar 52-30 record and securing the No. 2 seed in the competitive Western Conference. Their postseason campaign, however, ended in disappointment as they fell to the Golden State Warriors in a tightly contested seven-game series.
Before joining the Rockets, Udoka had a varied coaching career that included stints as an assistant with teams like San Antonio, Philadelphia, and Brooklyn. His notable tenure as the head coach of the Boston Celtics in the 2021 season saw the team reach the NBA Finals, only to lose to the Warriors.
Udoka’s time with the Celtics was marred by controversy, leading to a season-long suspension due to a violation of team policies. Following his departure from Boston in 2023, the Rockets hired him, which has proven to be a fortuitous decision given his impressive impact on the team’s performance.
In recent developments, the New York Knicks sought permission from the Rockets to interview Udoka for their head coaching role, but that request was denied. With his new extension, it is clear that the Rockets are committed to building on their recent success under Udoka’s guidance.
This extension reflects not only the trust the franchise has in Udoka but also a promising future for the young and improving Houston team. With continued development and leadership, the Rockets have the potential to become a formidable force in the league.