Houston Rockets Hire Former Celtics Head Coach Ime Udoka

Report: Houston Rockets Hire Former Boston Celtics Head Coach Ime Udoka

Last week, it was reported that the Toronto Raptors would be talking to former Boston Celtics head coach, Ime Udoka about their recently opened coaching position. Less than a week later, the Houston Rockets have appeared to beat the Raptors to the punch.

According to The Associated Press, the Rockets have reportedly hired Udoka before the Raptors were able to speak to him.A source informed the media outlet of the new hire. The person leaked the news to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

The Rockets are the owners of the worst record in the last two NBA seasons. They finished second, along with the San Antonio Spurs with the second-worst record this past season. Due to the shoddy play of the team, the Rockets terminated former head coach, Stephen Silas, who was fired after three seasons.

Rafael Stone, the Rockets general manager stated earlier this month that he intends on going after some veteran free agents once the playoffs are over. He wants to add veteran players to the team’s young talent as the Rockets try to turn things around.

The Rockets would like to build the team around their young players, Jalen Green and Jabari Smith. With their awful record this past season, they are likely to add another young talent as the odds for them getting the number one are 14%.

Udoka became a hot commodity after just one season as a head coach of the Celtics when he took the team to an NBA Finals against Golden State. The team lost to the eventual champions. Udoka’s coaching career was derailed when he was suspended and then fired by the Celtics organization.

Udoka, who had a son and long engagement with actress Nia Long, was suspended before the 2022-23 season started for violating multiple team rules. He received a lengthy suspension as punishment for allegedly having an intimate, but consensual, relationship with a female Celtics staffer. He was still an employee since the team didn’t terminate him. In February, his time with the team came to an end when the Boston Celtics named interim head coach Joe Mazzulla as, the team’s permanent head coach.

Report: Houston Rockets Hire Former Boston Celtics Head Coach Ime Udoka