Latest news with #ImeUdoka
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Chris Mannix: In trade pursuits, Ime Udoka ‘a real asset' for Rockets
Entering the 2025-26 season, the Houston Rockets have the foundation of a relatively young and improving team that finished 2024-25 with the NBA's fourth-best record (52-30, No. 2 in the Western Conference). That's led many to speculate that Houston could be very desirable to any star players who might come available on the offseason trade market. Advertisement But there's another potential reason for that desirability. On Friday's The Rich Eisen Show, NBA insider Chris Mannix (of Sports Illustrated) made the case: Every player in the league loves (head coach) Ime Udoka. Every player wants to play for Ime Udoka. That's a real asset that the Rockets have. Mannix went on to name Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics, and Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns as All-Star-level players who could be targets. Brown and Durant each have previous experience playing for Udoka, with Durant's stint coming when Udoka was an assistant with the Brooklyn Nets. 'The team that I'm still watching the closest is going to be Houston,' Mannix said of his offseason outlook. 'Can Houston make a play for Giannis? I'm sure they would love to.' More: Fact or fiction: Do the Rockets have the best assets to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo? This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Chris Mannix: In trade pursuits, Ime Udoka 'a real asset' for Rockets
USA Today
18 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Chris Mannix: In trade pursuits, Ime Udoka ‘a real asset' for Rockets
Chris Mannix: In trade pursuits, Ime Udoka 'a real asset' for Rockets Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix on the NBA's 2025 offseason trade market: 'Every player wants to play for Ime Udoka. That's a real asset that the Rockets have.' Entering the 2025-26 season, the Houston Rockets have the foundation of a relatively young and improving team that finished 2024-25 with the NBA's fourth-best record (52-30, No. 2 in the Western Conference). That's led many to speculate that Houston could be very desirable to any star players who might come available on the offseason trade market. But there's another potential reason for that desirability. On Friday's The Rich Eisen Show, NBA insider Chris Mannix (of Sports Illustrated) made the case: Every player in the league loves (head coach) Ime Udoka. Every player wants to play for Ime Udoka. That's a real asset that the Rockets have. Mannix went on to name Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics, and Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns as All-Star-level players who could be targets. Brown and Durant each have previous experience playing for Udoka, with Durant's stint coming when Udoka was an assistant with the Brooklyn Nets. Udoka was a finalist for the NBA's 2024-25 Coach of the Year award. 'The team that I'm still watching the closest is going to be Houston,' Mannix said of his offseason outlook. 'Can Houston make a play for Giannis? I'm sure they would love to.' More: Fact or fiction: Do the Rockets have the best assets to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NBA mock drafts: Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis frequently linked to Rockets
When the 2025 NBA draft lottery resulted in the Houston Rockets (via Phoenix) landing the No. 10 overall pick in the first round, Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis was a popular early projection at that slot. Two weeks later, over the U.S. Memorial Day holiday weekend, that largely remains the case. Advertisement This Sunday is exactly one month until the June 25 first round, and Jakucionis is still the consensus projection for the Rockets at No. 10. As part of their latest aggregate mock draft, our friends at HoopsHype explain the methodology: These rankings reflect the composite score of 10 mock drafts (ESPN, CBS Sports, The Athletic, Bleacher Report, Babcock Hoops, USA Today, SB Nation and For The Win) to get a feel for the overall consensus. Regarding Jakucionis and the Rockets, HoopsHype's Cyro Asseo de Choch writes: They would like someone who fits Ime Udoka's switchable and high-IQ system. Kasparas Jakucionis is a top guard prospect, combining elite playmaking with excellent size and offensive versatility. The Illinois freshman showcased advanced floor vision and pick-and-roll mastery (0.934 points per possession, or PPP, as ball-handler, 65th percentile), operating as a primary initiator while maintaining efficient decision-making (1.073 PPP in isolation). His ability to play both on and off-ball adds valuable lineup flexibility, though his inconsistent 3-point shooting and modest transition production (0.568 PPP) currently limit his ceiling. Defensively, he uses his length well (0.867 PPP allowed) but lacks elite quickness, raising questions about his ability to contain NBA guards. While not an explosive athlete, his high basketball IQ, international experience, and well-rounded skill set make him a strong lottery candidate for teams seeking a big, creative guard who can develop into a starting-caliber playmaker. An assistant coach told HoopsHype: 'Kasparas is the real deal. This is another classic example of a combo point guard. Look, Tyrese Haliburton is still who I love to compare him to. The difference between Kasparas and Jeremiah (Fears) is that I have fewer doubts about Kasparas's playmaking ability at the professional level. He gets to the line pretty well; maybe that's just because he's a big point guard going up against smaller defenders in college, but I'm a big fan of his. Plus, he comes from Lithuania, which adds another layer to his skill set. It wouldn't shock me if he ends up being the best out of the three guards after (Dylan) Harper.' More: Kasparas Jakucionis: NBA draft scouting report and intel As of Saturday, HoopsHype's draft predictor formula also lists Jakucionis as the most likely selection (30.8%) at No. 10. South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles (23.6%) is second. Some media reports have indicated that Houston is looking to shop the No. 10 pick on the trade market for a win-now upgrade, since the Rockets already have a deep stockpile of young players to develop. The Rockets struggled to find consistent minutes for guard prospects Reed Sheppard and Cam Whitmore in 2024-25, so adding Jakucionis to the mix could create a logjam. Advertisement Then again, the Rockets have shown they won't hesitate to use their NBA G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers, for developmental purposes. So, it's possible that if they view a prospect such as Jakucionis to be the best player or asset available (relative to other potential picks or trade options), they could initially play him in the G League while waiting to see if the surrounding roster construction changes — be it from injuries or trades. With the 2025 NBA draft now approximately one month away, expect speculation to ramp up more over the days and weeks ahead. More: ESPN: Rockets willing to shop 2025 draft pick for win-now upgrade This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: 2025 NBA mock drafts: Kasparas Jakucionis frequently linked to Rockets
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
For Houston coaches, Ime Udoka prioritizes relatability to players
For Houston coaches, Ime Udoka prioritizes relatability to players 'I think we have a younger group that can relate to these guys, and they've noticed that,' Ime Udoka says of his coaching staff. 'If you build those relationships, you can coach them much harder.' At 47 years old, Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka isn't that far removed from his days as an NBA player. In practices during the 2025 playoffs, he occasionally joined the team's current players in shooting drills. Many of Udoka's assistant coaches with the Rockets (Ben Sullivan, Royal Ivey, Garrett Jackson, Cam Hodges, Mike Moser, and Will Dunn) are of a similar age demographic or even younger. That's by design. In an exclusive interview with Space City Home Network's Vanessa Richardson, the in-game, sideline reporter for Houston's regional TV broadcasts, Udoka elaborated on his philosophy for hiring and retaining coaches. Among his comments: They push guys, but they also build those relationships and love them up, at the same time. I think we have a very relatable staff, and that was a goal of mine, to have guys in here that have played and have a player development background. They can share the experiences with our young guys, and it's not always about the basketball, on the court. It's the talks about real-life things, off the court, as well. I think we have a younger group that can relate to these guys, and they've noticed that from day one. The bottom line is, if you build those relationships, you can coach them much harder. After finishing at 22-60 and last place in the 15-team Western Conference in the season prior to Udoka's arrival, the Rockets have improved to 41-41 in 2023-24 (No. 11 in the West) and 52-30 in 2024-25 (No. 2 in the West). So, the philosophy seems to be working, and especially for a Houston team that features a 'young core' of seven first-round prospects (Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore, and Reed Sheppard) obtained from the NBA's 2021 through 2024 draft cycles. All are 23 years old or younger, which means they're at a stage in their development where they are highly impressionable. With most of those players taking steps forward in 2024-25, including the first All-Star berth for Sengun, Udoka and his staff appear to be pushing many of the right buttons. More: 'Work ethic and toughness': Rafael Stone likes Houston's culture for player development
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA rumors: Insider links Boston Celtics to trade for top 3 draft pick from specfic team this summer
A notable NBA insider believes one of the top picks in next month's NBA Draft could be in play for the Boston Celtics this summer in a rumored trade to slash payroll. The Celtics are one loss away from the inevitable breakup of the team that brought the franchise their 18th NBA title last June. The organization has a salary cap reckoning coming this summer due to the huge tax bill they will have next season. And the team's new owner is expected to cut costs and move a bunch of salaries in offseason trades. Advertisement It seems like everyone but Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be up for grabs. And on Tuesday, ESPN NBA insider Marc Spears claimed the San Antonio Spurs could be sniffing around Boston's talent this summer and might even offer up the third overall pick in next month's NBA Draft. Related: Boston Celtics game today – Get details on the upcoming Celtics schedule 'They've got the number two pick. And I'm told the Spurs are quite happy with the talent that's available at No. 2. But they're going to explore potential trades as well,' he said on 'Sportscenter.' The Spurs have had the last two NBA Rookies of the Year. However, assuming Victor Wembanyama returns healthy from the blood clot in his shoulder, they will expect to take a leap forward and make the playoffs next season. Several Celtics players could help achieve that goal. And Boston's management would very much be interested in their picks at No. 2 and 14 in Round 1. Ime Udoka could look to reunite with former Boston Celtics players Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images The Spurs aren't the only team Spears believes will try and poach talent from Boston. He also suggested that the team's former head coach, Ime Udoka, could be looking to reunite with certain players in Houston. Advertisement 'Ime Udoka's there. They've been rumored to want to upgrade their roster. He knows these guys, and they probably would be attracted to return to play with him,' Spears said. The Rockets have been linked to a potential trade for Kevin Durant. However, management seems to like their young talent. They could certainly pass on giving up some of them for a big name. And instead, look to add strong veterans around them. Similar to what they did when they added Fred VanVleet two summers ago. Also Read:: Losing to New York Knicks could break up Boston Celtics' core
