Folks, the sun’s shining bright in Houston on Thursday. Well, brighter, in reality. The basketball scenes are heating up as the Rockets have cruised through the stratosphere of the coaching business. Saying they’re locked in for next season doesn’t even begin to capture it. Because it’s not just for the near tomorrow, but the foreseeable future that has been strongly aimed at. And amidst it all, stands one man, Ime Udoka.
Shams Charania never misses a beat, and this time he brought great news rather than just his usual sad omens. Joining Pat McAfee on his show, ESPN’s senior insider reported:
“Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka has reached an agreement on a long-term contract extension with the franchise. It makes Udoka one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA right now. This is an eight-figure deal annually.”
BREAKING NEWS: “Ime Udoka has reached agreement on a long term contract extension with the Houston Rockets..
This makes him one of the highest paid coaches in the NBA right now” ~ @ShamsCharania #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/coepcsaPQL
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 19, 2025
Ime Udoka’s coaching journey has come full circle, and now it’s paying off—literally. The Boston Celtics suspended Ime Udoka in 2023 and forced him to forfeit half of his $4 million salary, dealing him a $2 million setback and casting uncertainty over his future. But Houston came calling in 2023, offering him a four-year, $28.5 million contract that quietly reignited his career. The deal began with a $6.75 million salary in the 2023-24 season, followed by consistent $250,000 annual raises. That placed his earnings at $7 million in 2024-25, $7.25 million in 2025-26, and $7.5 million in 2026-27.
Altogether, his original contract added up to $28.5 million over four years—a strong figure, but far from the league’s elite bracket. Fast forward to today, and Udoka has signed a multi-year contract extension that flips the narrative. Now reportedly earning an eight-figure salary annually, he joins the exclusive club of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA. That means, at a minimum, he’ll be making $10 million per season. Projected over four years, this extension could earn him at least $40 million—if not more, depending on bonuses and deal structure.
Udoka has transformed a career once clouded by controversy into a monumental comeback. From losing $2 million in Boston to potentially bagging over $40 million in Houston, Udoka’s rise mirrors the Rockets’ own—young, determined, and clearly on the way up.
This is a developing story…
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