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Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka has agreed to a long-term contract extension that makes him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA, sources told ESPN. The deal is believed to be worth eight figures annually, more than $10 million a year, according to the same outlet. Only Steve Kerr of the Warriors ($17.5 million), Erik Spoelstra of the Heat ($15 million) and Tyronn Lue of the Clippers ($15 million) would be ahead of him on the coaches’ pay scale.
Udoka’s extension comes after he led Houston to second place in the Western Conference (52-30), behind only the Thunder (68-14), the first time they had finished in the top two. In Udoka’s second season, the Rockets reached the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 season, but were eliminated in the first round by the Golden State Warriors in seven games (3-4).
Caruso about OKC Thunder: We need to play better if we want the championship
Progress and sustainability
The Rockets’ owners, Tilman and Patrick Fertitta, and general manager Rafael Stone hired Udoka in 2023, and the parties have built a partnership based on progress and sustainability year after year.
Houston has won 93 games with Udoka on the bench after winning only 59 games in the previous three seasons before his arrival, and finished fifth in defensive efficiency this season. The Rockets ranked in the bottom five in defensive efficiency in the 2022-23 season.
Knicks snubbed
The New York Knicks had expressed interest in talking to Udoka about their head coaching position, but Houston declined the request, sources told ESPN earlier this month.
Udoka joined the Rockets after being suspended and eventually fired by the Boston Celtics during the 2022-23 season for multiple violations of team rules. He led the Celtics to the NBA Finals in his only season as head coach, the 2021-22 campaign.
Steven Adams, VanVleet and… Durant?
Udoka’s contract extension marks another important achievement this month for the Rockets, who last week re-signed center Steven Adams to a three-year, $39 million contract. Houston also has until June 29 to decide on the $44.9 million team option for point guard Fred VanVleet, and the team is considered one of the preferred destinations for Kevin Durant, star of the Phoenix Suns, according to sources told ESPN.
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