ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Ime Udoka and the Houston Rockets have agreed to a long-term contract extension. Neither the exact length or financial terms have been disclosed yet, but Charania cites sources as saying that the extension will make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA.
Udoka is a former NBA player who played seven seasons for five different teams, including the Portland Trail Blazers. In 2006-07, Udoka played 75 games for Portland, averaging a career-high 8.4 points and 1.5 assists per game. After two seasons with the Spurs between 2007-09, Udoka briefly re-signed with the Blazers, but he was waived by Portland a month later without playing in a game before finishing his playing career in Sacramento and again in San Antonio.
The Houston Rockets hired Udoka on April 25, 2023. Udoka was previously the head coach of the Boston Celtics, but he was suspended and ultimately replaced for an inappropriate relationship with a female staff member after leading the Celtics to the NBA Finals in his only season with the club.
Udoka has a record of 93-71 with the Rockets over two seasons. Houston went 52-30 in 2024-25, finishing first in the Southwest division. Houston was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, falling to the Gold State Warriors in seven games.
The New York Knicks requested permission to talk to Udoka about their coaching vacancy earlier this month, but the Rockets denied their request.