The Houston Rockets are locking down head coach Ime Udoka for the long term future.
Former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka has agreed a new contract extension with the Houston Rockets.
The deal is described as a ‘long-term’ deal worth eight-figures annually that makes Udoka one of the best paid head coaches in the NBA, reports ESPN.
The timing of the agreement comes after the New York Knicks made a request to speak to Udoka over their vacant head coaching role after firing Tom Thibodeau.
The Rockets refused the Knicks permission to speak to Udoka, determined to keep their head coach after securing the two-seed in the Western Conference in 2024-25.
Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images‘Knicks got Udoka paid’, claim fans
The New York Knicks were refused permission to speak to head coaches at the Minnesota Timberwolves (Chris Finch), Dallas Mavericks (Jason Kidd), Atlanta Hawks (Quin Snyder) and Chicago Bulls (Billy Donovan).
Ime Udoka led the Rockets to a major improvement after an 11th placed finish in 2023-24, to finish second this season, however, they fell short in the playoffs.
The Rockets were defeated in a seven-game series by the Golden State Warriors, leaving them to restock and reload for 2025-26.
Ime Udoka will not be jumping ship to the Eastern Conference, and despite his impressive feats with the Rockets, many NBA fans are crediting the New York Knicks’ interest with his new contract extension.
Responding to the news on X, one fan wrote: “He should absolutely thank the New York Knicks.”
Another fan commented: “Hope he writes the Knicks a thank you card.”
“Knicks picked up the phone like ‘Let me talk to Udoka’ and Houston hung up and grabbed the checkbook,” wrote another.
A fourth fan wrote: “They should start sending Thank You cards to Leon Rose.”
“You’re welcome. Thank the Knicks…”, a Knicks fan account added.
“Knicks front office getting all these coaches paid,” wrote another fan, while others did pay tribute to Udoka’s efforts in Houston.
“Congrats, Coach Udoka! Well-deserved extension!”, while one more added: “Smart of the Rockets to lock in one of the best coaches in the league!”.
Ime Udoka extension could be followed
There could be more contract extensions coming for coaches who the New York Knicks requested to speak to.
ESPN insider Tim MacMahon claimed it was a very ‘feasible scenario’ that Jason Kidd could land a contract extension with the Dallas Mavericks.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports the Chicago Bulls are also close to tying up an extension with Billy Donovan.
The claims that the ‘Knicks are getting coaches paid’ are not far at all from the truth.