Rockets Hiring Ime Udoka as Coach

The Rockets are hiring Ime Udoka, formerly of the Celtics, as their next coach, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Udoka will replace Stephen Silas, who was let go at the end of the season after three years on the job.

In his lone season as head coach, Udoka guided Boston to a Finals appearance, losing to the Warriors in six games. He was then suspended just prior to the season for what the Celtics called an inappropriate relationship with a female staffer.

Eventually, the Celtics quietly parted ways, hiring interim man Joe Mazzulla on a full-time basis — and leaving Udoka as a coaching free agent.

He had reportedly also drawn interest from the Raptors and Pistons.

The Celtics finished 51-31 in their lone season under Udoka, who had previously worked as an assistant under Gregg Popovich with the Spurs and Steve Nash with the Nets. Nash was fired earlier this season, and Udoka was reportedly a prime candidate to land the job in Brooklyn. 

The Nets, however, ultimately decided against it.

The Rockets finished 17-65 and are in prime position to land a top-three pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, depending on the results of the May 16 lottery.

Former Lakers coach Frank Vogel, current Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson and 76ers assistant Sam Cassell were among the others linked to the Houston vacancy.

ESPN Sources: Ime Udoka has agreed to a deal to become the next Houston Rockets coach. pic.twitter.com/xhcDRDfnNJ

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 24, 2023