Latest news with #Udoka
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ime Udoka gets real on what Kevin Durant's addition means for the Rockets
The post Ime Udoka gets real on what Kevin Durant's addition means for the Rockets appeared first on ClutchPoints. Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka is excited for Kevin Durant. While adding a veteran All-Star to his team could yield his first trip to the NBA Finals since his lone season with the Boston Celtics in 2022, Udoka is happy to see Durant in a winning situation with the Rockets. He's eager to get started and says Kevin is, too, as the two reunite from Ime's days as an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets and Team USA. For the first time in Durant's career, Udoka is his head coach, and the Rockets' head coach can't wait to see Durant lead his team by example, just as the veteran Rockets players who came before him did. 'His day-to-day routine is very similar to Fred [Van Vleet] and Dillon [Brooks], and Jeff [Green], and the vets that we brought in,' Udoka said. 'I think he takes us to another level with his work ethic. Seeing him in practice in Brooklyn and for Team USA, he would almost go through practice to get to his routine. And then, you see the work he puts in to maintain the level that he's been at. So, that definitely rubs off on guys. 'Just like all our vets did; come in and impart wisdom, and teach his experience with these guys, and it'll be invaluable for these guys to see and learn from him.' Udoka is very much looking forward to reuniting with Durant in Houston. 'We're both excited to work together again,' Udoka added. 'Obviously, he was in a tough situation, looking forward to moving on and very happy to do that with us. He shared that excitement and joy to be back with some guys he already knows back in Texas. We all know about what he brings. No secret there. But, yeah, very happy to get going, very excited about our young guys that he's ready to play with.' Kevin Durant's take on Ime Udoka before Rockets tenure The feeling is seemingly mutual. As Kevin Durant joins Ime Udoka and the Rockets, he believes Udoka's defensive approach is improving his players' offense. Durant discussed Udoka, per LeBron James and Steve Nash's Mind The Game podcast. 'I see a lot of coaches being creative defensively, and that's pushing players to become better offensively,' Durant said. 'Because when I'm working out, I'm thinking even the man defense is starting to look like a zone a little bit with so many gaps.' The Rockets are projected to be championship contenders. Related: NBA rumors: Brian Windhorst confirms Timberwolves' Kevin Durant trade offer Related: Houston Rockets 2025 NBA free agency grade for every signing
NBC Sports
22-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Rockets add defensive wing Josh Okogie on one-year deal
The Houston Rockets have built a contender from the defensive end of the floor out, and this signing fits right in that mold — Houston is deep with quality defensive wings. The Rockets have agreed to terms with veteran wing Josh Okogie on a one-year, $3.1 million veteran minimum contract, as first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN, then essentially confirmed by Okogie himself. Houston, we have a problem. 🚀🤘🏽 Okogie, 27 and a seven-year NBA veteran, is a plus defender on the wing, and that has always been the calling card for the former Georgia Tech standout However, his offensive limitations — he's a career 29.9% shooter from 3, although that has looked better for stretches of late, like last season in Phoenix — have kept him in smaller roles Last season he started with the Suns but was traded to Charlotte at the deadline as part of the Nick Richards deal Charlotte looked for a trade for Okogie, he had a $7.7 million team option for this season, but couldn't find one, so he was waived That made him a free agent and the Rockets swooped in. The Rockets have Amen Thompson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Tari Eason, and now Okogie as wing defenders — that might be the most Ime Udoka group of wings in the league. With the Rockets, Okogie will get minutes this season and open looks on offense, giving himself a real chance to boost his stock. Okogie brings the Rockets to 14 players with guaranteed contracts, but the team is hard-capped at the first apron of the luxury tax and will not be able to sign a 15th player until well into the season, when a pro-rated contract amount will drop below the money they have available.
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
On Mind the Game podcast, Kevin Durant praises Rockets coach Ime Udoka
In a newly released podcast with LeBron James and Steve Cash, Rockets star Kevin Durant showed clear respect for his new head coach in Houston. In an interview taped earlier in the 2025 NBA offseason, All-Star forward Kevin Durant sat down with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and former NBA player and coach Steve Nash for their 'Mind the Game' podcast. Part one was released last week, and part two was released Tuesday. Based on phrasing, it's clear the interview was taped prior to Durant joining the Rockets by trade — or at least before it was made official. But he did share some kind words for head coach Ime Udoka, who was reportedly among the top reasons Durant wanted to join Houston. In a discussion about the types of defenses that star players like Durant and James routinely face, 'KD' said of Udoka: You can throw zones in there, with how they mix up defenses. When we play Houston, Ime Udoka does a good job in that. He would go one possession regular man, next possession zone, then go back to man, the next three possessions zone... all in the first quarter. I don't care how good you are as a team, how connected you are as a group, how well you pass, or if guys are unselfish. If a coach does that and you're not prepared for it, you're all off balance. As is customary for the podcast, the discussion remains centered around basketball philosophy and strategies, as opposed to transactions. But even while talking Xs and Os, it's clear Durant has an affinity for Udoka, who was Nash's top assistant during a shared 2020-21 season with the Brooklyn Nets. As for James, his history with Udoka is a bit more mixed. The complete podcast episode can be viewed below. Udoka is widely regarded as one of the top defensive tacticians in basketball, and he finished third in Coach of the Year voting for the recently completed 2024-25 season. More: Mind the Game: Rockets star Kevin Durant explains why elite players need mid-range shots
USA Today
24-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
HoopsHype: Rockets coach Ime Udoka had wanted Kevin Durant trade for years
It's been reported that Rockets coach Ime Udoka strongly supported the Kevin Durant trade, and the concept reportedly traces back to his Boston days. After the Kevin Durant trade, what's next for the Rockets, Suns, Heat, Timberwolves & Raptors? How Tyrese Haliburton's injury may affect Myles Turner, Thunder notes, Kings trade talks, Guerschon Yabusele's free agency & a Chris Boucher chat on @hoopshype. It was widely reported during Houston's successful trade pursuit of Kevin Durant that head coach Ime Udoka was among the leading voices in support of Durant joining the Rockets. So, too, was assistant coach Royal Ivey, who shares University of Texas basketball program lineage with Durant and has coached alongside Udoka at multiple stops. Both Udoka and Ivey were assistant coaches during Durant's first playing season (2020-21) with the Brooklyn Nets. In between those Brooklyn days and their current roles in Houston, Udoka spent one year as head coach of the Boston Celtics (who he guided to the 2022 NBA Finals). As it turns out, Udoka's fondness for Durant was enough that he was trying to trade for the All-Star forward and future Hall of Famer then! Per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype: Durant reunites with Udoka, whom he spent time with on the Nets. Udoka was head coach of the Celtics and was in favor of the organization trying to acquire Durant when the organization dangled a package centered around Jaylen Brown, league sources told HoopsHype. Now, while finalizing his contract extension with the Rockets, Udoka encouraged Houston to trade for Durant, sources said. This time, Udoka got his man. Durant will reunite with Royal Ivey, his former NBA teammate (with the Oklahoma City Thunder) and assistant coach, who turned down interest from the Grizzlies and Spurs for assistant coaching positions to remain in Houston alongside Udoka. Ivey also interviewed for Phoenix's head coaching opening. Within league circles, Ivey's decision to stay with Houston was a potential sign that Durant would ultimately end up with the Rockets. Brown, 28, is eight years younger than the 36-year-old Durant — and that age gap likely played a role in Boston's front office not choosing to go down that path in trade talks with the Nets. But in Houston, the players sent out as part of the June 2025 Durant trade package — Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks — aren't nearly as accomplished as Brown (an All-Star) was in Boston. So in this case, the front office and Udoka were in alignment, and a deal got to the finish line. 'His day-to-day approach is unlike anybody I've been around or seen,' Udoka said of Durant on a Rockets-Suns gameday in March (via Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic). 'With all the accolades he still has a chip, is grumpy as hell every other day, but he holds himself to a high standard.' More: Despite external coaching inquiries, Royal Ivey likely to stay with Rockets, Ime Udoka "His day-to-day approach is unlike anybody I've been around or seen."Rockets coach Ime Udoka on Kevin Durant. Was an assistant in Brooklyn when Durant was there."With all the accolades he still has a chip, is grumpy as hell every other day, but he holds himself to a high…
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kevin Durant traded to Rockets in bombshell deal involving Jalen Green
The post Kevin Durant traded to Rockets in bombshell deal involving Jalen Green appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Phoenix Suns are trading 15-time All-Star and two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round picks, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. Advertisement Houston is trading the 59th pick in this year's draft, two second-round picks in 2026, Boston's 2030 second-round pick, and their own 2032 second-round pick to Phoenix in this Durant trade. It is unknown at this time exactly which picks the Suns will get in 2026 since the Rockets are trading second rounders that have swap and favorable restrictions tied to them. Durant, 36, had been the key topic of trade discussions across the NBA since the Suns' season came to an end. After hearing his name involved in trade dialogue near the trade deadline in February, it had become clear that Durant's marriage with Phoenix had come to an end. With owner Mat Ishbia and new general manager Brian Gregory determined to finalize a deal before the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday, the Suns ultimately settled for what Houston was offering, despite initially asking for multiple first-round picks and young talents, such as Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Reed Sheppard. The Rockets had made it abundantly clear that they were not going to increase their offer knowing that Durant wanted to join them, and now they add the future Hall of Famer in search of a title. Advertisement This season, Houston claimed the 2-seed in the Western Conference with a 52-30 record. Although they put up a good fight against the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs, it had become abundantly clear that this team needed a clear upgrade on offense. More specifically, they needed a star player to complement Alperen Sengun's skills and be a go-to scoring weapon. Durant is that type of player, and he now becomes the focal point of a young team in Houston that has the defensive capability and potential to be a championship-level team. Rockets win bidding war for Kevin Durant Jerome Miron-Imagn Images One of the main reasons why the Rockets were a finalist for Durant, aside from their championship pedigree, is the superstar's relationship with head coach Ime Udoka. The two spent time together when Durant was with the Brooklyn Nets and Udoka was an assistant on Steve Nash's staff. Advertisement Since Udoka joined the Rockets, this organization has won 93 games over the last two seasons. They had won only 59 games the previous three seasons before Udoka. As a result, the Rockets made Udoka one of the highest-paid head coaches in the league with a contract extension on Thursday. Trade talks surrounding Durant had intensified entering the final weekend of the 2024-25 NBA season. The Rockets, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, and Minnesota Timberwolves had been the five teams linked to Durant in recent weeks, and the Suns had made it their intention to find a deal that made the most sense before the 2025 NBA Draft. With Durant signaling that he didn't want to join Toronto or Minnesota, neither team pushed all of their chips in, league sources told ClutchPoints. San Antonio made one offer, but they too were unwilling to increase what they intended to give up for Durant since they were labeled as his top destination. The Spurs are confident in the young core they are building alongside Victor Wembanyama, and they will continue to push forward. Expect the Spurs to be involved in conversations regarding any superstar that hits the trade market. Advertisement As for the Heat, they were highly engaged in trade conversations for Durant entering the weekend. However, the Heat's unwillingness to include future draft picks and young talent like Kel'el Ware ultimately led to Phoenix accepting Houston's offer instead, which provides a clearer path for future success. Miami did not offer Ware at any point, sources said, instead focusing on a trade package that revolved around Andrew Wiggins and the 20th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Durant, who is still one of the best offensive players in the league, averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game this past season while shooting 52.7 percent from the floor and 43.0 percent from 3-point range. He immediately makes the Rockets contenders at the top of the Western Conference next to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Related: Kay Adams asks Kevin Durant about recruiting Russell Westbrook to Rockets Related: Kevin Durant tells Kay Adams 'why Houston' right after trade
