Rockets, Ime Udoka Agree To Long-Term Contract Extension

The Houston Rockets have agreed to a long-term contract extension with coach Ime Udoka, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.

The deal is set to make Udoka one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA, Charania noted. Details beyond that have yet to be reported.

Udoka guided the Rockets to a 52-30 record and the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference this season — their first top-two finish in seven years. Houston was eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs.

Udoka, 47, has compiled a record of 144-102 in three seasons as coach of the Rockets and Boston Celtics. That includes a 93-71 mark with the Rockets in his two years. The Celtics went 51-31 in Udoka’s lone season with the team, reaching the NBA Finals.

He recently was linked to the New York Knicks’ coaching vacancy, but per reports, wasn’t interested in the job. 

Prior to becoming a head coach, Udoka served as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs for seven years, following one year apiece with the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets, respectively.

He spent seven seasons in the NBA as a player (2003-11) and one year overseas.

Kelly Iko of The Athletic confirmed the news on Udoka’s extension.