“They entrusted me to be in this role, and we’ve done some good things,” Ime Udoka says of the recent contract extension given to him by the Rockets.
In contrast to players, specifics often aren’t publicly known regarding the contracts given out to NBA head coaches.
When the Houston Rockets extended head coach Ime Udoka earlier this offseason, ESPN insider Shams Charania said on television that the deal would be worth at least $10 million annually, which makes the 48-year-old among the league’s highest-paid coaches.
There were no reports as to the deal’s length.
At Monday’s media day to open training camp for the 2025-26 season, Rockets Wire asked Udoka about the ramifications of his new contract. As part of an extended answer, Udoka said:
Me and Rafael (Stone, general manager), from day one, have been on the same page as far as goals and expectations for our team. So, to be extended and be together for the next six years or whatever… we take it year by year, but it’s an honor for me. They entrusted me to be in this role, and we’ve done some good things.
Assuming that six-year reference is accurate, the new contract takes Udoka through the 2030-31 season. That’s a good bit longer than the average NBA coaching contract, which runs for between three and five years.
When the Rockets initially hired Udoka in April 2023, he was given a four-year deal worth approximately $7 million in annual value.
Granted, as Udoka indicated with his “year by year” remark, there are no guarantees. Earlier this year, the Phoenix Suns fired Mike Budenholzer after the first season of a five-year contract.
But it’s fair to surmise that Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta wouldn’t want to pay two coaches at once, if at all possible, so the six-year commitment reflects an expectation that Udoka will have a long run of continued success in Houston.
When Udoka first took the Houston job in April 2023, the Rockets were coming off three straight seasons with 22 or fewer wins and a last-place spot (No. 15) in the Western Conference standings. All three of those teams were coached by Udoka’s predecessor, Stephen Silas.
During Udoka’s first season, Houston improved to 41-41 and No. 11 in the West. In his second season, the Rockets climbed to 52-30 and No. 2 in the standings. Despite having a relatively young roster, Udoka took what was previously a bad defensive team and molded them into one of the league’s best.
Now, the Rockets are believed to be a championship contender after the offseason trade addition of Kevin Durant — who has pointed to Udoka as a primary reason that he wanted to be in Houston.
The franchise trajectory under Udoka’s leadership is clear, and the commitment from Rockets ownership (led by Tilman and Patrick Fertitta) reflects that.