Former Celtics head coach Ime Udoka has reached an agreement with the Rockets to become their next HC, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweets.
Udoka replaces Stephen Silas, who was dismissed following the conclusion of the season.
After leading Boston to the NBA Finals last season, Udoka was suspended by the club this season for an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate. Udoka essentially became a free agent when the Celtics removed the interim tag from his replacement, Joe Mazzulla, during the season.
Udoka’s name was heavily mentioned during the Rockets’ search right from the start and the team’s interest in him grew after their initial meeting, according to Wojnarowski’s sources (Twitter link). Udoka and Houston GM Rafael Stone remained in communication and reached an agreement over the last 24 hours. A young roster, salary flexibility and a 14% chance to land Victor Wembanyama at the No. 1 overall pick swayed Udoka to take the job.
Houston was tied with San Antonio for the league’s second-worst record at 22-60.
The Rockets also interviewed several other prominent coaches for the job, including former Lakers coach Frank Vogel, former Hornets coach James Borrego and former Nets coach Kenny Atkinson. Sixers assistant Sam Cassell, Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin and Suns assistant Kevin Young were also in the mix and Houston also had reported interest in Nick Nurse, who recently parted ways with the Raptors.
