Sources: Udoka joins tier of top-paid coaches

Houston Rockets manager Ime Udoka has agreed to a semipermanent declaration hold that makes him 1 of the highest-paid coaches successful the NBA, sources told ESPN connected Thursday.

Udoka's caller woody comes aft helium guided Houston to its archetypal top-two effect successful the West successful 7 years. In Udoka's 2nd season, the Rockets went 52-30 and made their archetypal playoff quality since 2019-20. They were knocked disconnected successful the archetypal circular by the Golden State Warriors successful 7 games.

Rockets ownership, Tilman and Patrick Fertitta, and wide manager Rafael Stone hired Udoka successful 2023, and the sides person built a concern connected year-by-year advancement and sustainability.

The Rockets person won 93 games nether Udoka aft winning a full of 59 games successful the 3 seasons earlier helium arrived, and Houston finished 5th successful antiaircraft ratio this season. The Rockets ranked successful the bottommost 5 successful antiaircraft ratio successful 2022-23.

The New York Knicks had expressed involvement successful speaking with Udoka astir their caput coaching position, but the Rockets denied the request, sources told ESPN earlier this month.

Udoka joined the Rockets aft helium was suspended and yet fired by the Boston Celtics during the 2022-23 play for aggregate violations of squad rules. He led the Celtics to the NBA Finals successful his lone play arsenic their manager successful 2021-22.

Udoka's hold marks different large portion of concern for the Rockets this month. They re-signed halfway Steven Adams to a three-year, $39 cardinal declaration past week. Houston besides has until June 29 to marque a determination connected defender Fred VanVleet's $44.9 cardinal squad option, and the squad is considered 1 of Phoenix Suns prima Kevin Durant's preferred commercialized destinations, sources antecedently told ESPN.