Houston Rockets signing Ime Udoka as new head coach

Former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka will become the next head coach of the Houston Rockets, according to multiple sources. Houston has lots of intriguing young talent but finished the 2022-23 campaign with a paltry 22-60 record. The team dismissed its former coach Stephen Silas shortly after the season ended.

Udoka served one year as the coach of the Celtics, his only experience as a head coach at the NBA level. He and the Celtics reached the NBA Finals, but Udoka was suspended a few months later in September of this year by the team following an investigation into inappropriate workplace activities. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets were able to look into the circumstances around Udoka’s suspension prior to the hiring.

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Udoka had made a name for himself before his suspension, with a knack for hard-nosed defense and player accountability. If the Rockets are looking to compete soon, this style may be a way to tighten up any miscues and help Houston return to the Western Conference playoffs.

With the No. 2 defense, last season’s winner and one of the best shot-blocking and charge-taking guards on their roster, shouldn’t Boston have gotten ONE vote, at least? https://t.co/jjaeMK9pcn

— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 24, 2023

There’s plenty of reason to believe Udoka is the right hire for this Rockets team. Only time will tell if Udoka will comment on his past in Boston or simply look to move forward. Wojnarowski is reporting that Udoka and the Rockets moved very quickly to get this deal done after an initial meeting.

The Celtics pivoted away from Udoka and tapped Joe Mazzulla to fill the vacancy at the head coach position after suspending Udoka this past offseason.

Mazzulla has proven worthy of the challenge, and his club is competing for a title. Whatever hiccup the change at coach may have caused was evidently fleeting.

Ever wonder how Boston Celtics team president Brad Stevens was as a player? Watch these high school highlights to find out. https://t.co/lYSISAZhMS

— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 24, 2023