Ime Udoka had his pick of NBA jobs. The possibility of Victor Wembanyama may have taken him to Houston.
Udoka lost his job as head coach of the Celtics after using crude language toward a subordinate, before having an affair with her, which led to his suspension and eventual firing. But the scandal didn’t scare off a number of teams linked to Udoka, after he led Boston to the NBA Finals in his first year as head coach.
Udoka was reportedly a “serious candidate” for the Raptors’ head-coaching job, as well as the Pistons’ opening. He chose Houston, perhaps because he’s ready for what Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta called “phase two” of their rebuild. Perhaps because Houston has a 14 percent chance at landing the top pick in the 2023 draft and presumably selecting French big man Victor Wembanyama.
LeBron James called the 7-foot-4, 19-year-old Wembanyama a “generational prospect,” and said he was “more like an alien than a unicorn with his ability to block shots, handle the ball and shoot from the outside.”
The “Wembanyama effect” — the French center’s sky-high potential — affected how teams like the Rockets and Spurs approached the entire season, punting the chance to win for the opportunity to get Wemby.
The chance to coach Wembanyama would be wildly appealing for any coach. Even if the lottery luck doesn’t go their way, Houston still has a 52.1 percent chance for a top-four pick and has Clippers’ first-round pick at No. 20. The Rockets also have former lottery picks Jalen Green and Jabari Smith, Jr., along with promising big man Alperen Sengun. Overall, Houston had 10 players under the age of 22 play significant minutes last year.
After nine years as an assistant coach, seven of which came under Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, Udoka has a reputation as coach who can develop young players, but also one who demands accountability. Of course, he didn’t show that with his scandal in Boston.
At a news conference Wednesday, Fertitta told reporters, “The NBA told me that they felt very comfortable with Ime becoming the coach of the Houston Rockets. So that made me feel really good after a lengthy, lengthy conversation with him.”
NBA spokesman Mike Bass said that the league believed “the discipline imposed was appropriate” regarding Udoka’s one-year suspension, clearing the way officially for his return.
Now Udoka is back, and the Rockets have $60 million in cap space to help launch them back into playoff contention. But no cap space, trades or even a new coach will propel them into contention more than pingpong balls bouncing their way and bringing them Wembanyama.
