Ime Udoka and the Houston Rockets have agreed to a long-term contract extension that will make him one of the NBA’s highest paid coaches. The Rockets finished the regular season second in the Western Conference in Udoka’s second season with the franchise.
Udoka previously led the Boston Celtics to the Finals in 2022 in his first season as head coach. Udoka was suspended on the eve of the 2022-23 season for policy violations involving a relationship with a female staff member. Udoka was eventually fired by the Celtics and nearly was hired by the Brooklyn Nets a few weeks later when Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were still on the team after Steve Nash was fired to start the season.
The Rockets have won 93 games under Udoka after winning a total of 59 games in the three seasons before he arrived.
The New York Knicks requested permission to interview Udoka this offseason, but they were denied by the Rockets.
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