According to ESPN's Shams Charania on Thursday, the Houston Rockets have reached a long-term contract extension with head coach Im Udoka. He also pointed out that Udoka's annual salary after the contract extension may reach eight figures, which will make him one of the top-paid coaches in the NBA.

Udoka, 47, has served as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets, and succeeded Brad Stevens as the head coach of the Boston Celtics in June 2021. He also led the Celtics back to the NBA Finals after 12 years in his first season as coach, but eventually lost to the Golden State Warriors 2-4 and finished second.

In September 2022, Udoka was forced to resign due to an improper relationship with a female staff member. Only 7 months later, he signed a 4-year contract with the Rockets with a total value of US$28.5 million and returned to the NBA as a head coach.

Before Udoka took office, the Rockets had only won 42 games in two seasons and were at the bottom of the league for a long time. Their performance improved significantly in the two seasons coached by Udoka, with a total record of 93 wins and 71 losses.

In the just-concluded 2024/25 season, the Rockets ranked second in the Western Conference with a record of 52 wins and 30 losses, and entered the playoffs again after seven years. Although they were eliminated in the first round after a seven-game battle with the Golden State Warriors, Udoka's coaching ability is still widely recognized.

For the Rockets, renewing Udoka's contract is an important part of their personnel layout this month. They just renewed a three-year contract worth $39 million with center Steven Adams last week, and they still need to decide whether to exercise the $44.9 million team option of guard Fred VanVleet before June 29.

On the other hand, the Rockets are also seen as one of Kevin Durant's potential next homes. As for Durant's final decision, it is still unknown.