Latest news with #RafaelStone
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rockets Sign Ime Udoka To Long-Term Extension, Making Him One Of The NBA's Highest-Paid Coaches
Rockets Sign Ime Udoka To Long-Term Extension, Making Him One Of The NBA's Highest-Paid Coaches originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Ime Udoka's basketball redemption arc is now complete and lucrative. On the heels of guiding the Houston Rockets to a 52-win campaign and securing their first top-two seed in seven years, Udoka has agreed to a long-term extension that will make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA, sources confirmed to ESPN's Shams Charania. Advertisement For a coach whose career was once in limbo after a suspension and dismissal from the Boston Celtics in 2023, this marks a triumphant turnaround. Udoka's extension comes after he led Houston to its best record since the James Harden era, transforming a 22-win team into a Western Conference powerhouse in just two seasons. In fact, the Rockets won more games under Udoka in two years (93) than they did in the three seasons prior to his arrival (59 combined). They also finished fifth in defensive efficiency, a dramatic turnaround from their bottom-five ranking in 2022-23. The Rockets' front office, led by owner Tilman Fertitta and GM Rafael Stone, had no hesitation when the New York Knicks reportedly expressed interest in speaking to Udoka about their vacant coaching position earlier this month. Advertisement Houston flatly denied the request and followed up by offering Udoka a massive extension, locking down the architect of their revival for the foreseeable future. The numbers behind the raise are staggering. Udoka's original four-year, $28.5 million deal started at $6.75 million annually. Now, he's in the eight-figure range yearly, which could net him over $40 million in just the next four years. It's a significant leap and a deserved one, reflecting both his tactical brilliance and cultural impact in a young, evolving locker room. The extension isn't the only major move the Rockets have made this month. They also re-signed veteran center Steven Adams to a three-year, $39 million deal and are weighing Fred VanVleet's $44.9 million team option. Advertisement Additionally, Houston has surfaced as one of Kevin Durant's preferred trade destinations should the Suns entertain offers, signaling that the front office is ready to capitalize on its current momentum. Udoka's rise is symbolic not only of personal redemption but of the franchise's rebirth. Once marred by dysfunction and rebuilding fatigue, the Rockets are now on the upswing, and Udoka is at the center of it all. His ability to instill defensive discipline, hold stars accountable, and mold young talent has completely altered Houston's trajectory. From a $2 million setback in Boston to a possible $40 million comeback in Houston, Udoka's journey is a reminder that second chances, when earned, can be golden. With their coach now locked in and empowered, the Rockets aren't just hoping to compete. They expect to win. Related: Rockets Taking Patient Approach In Kevin Durant Trade Talks, Similar To Raptors With Kawhi Leonard This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Podcast: Is 2025 the right time for Houston to make a superstar trade?
With general manager Rafael Stone calling the shots, are the Houston Rockets ready to make a star-level trade in the NBA's 2025 offseason? Hosted by credentialed media members Jackson Gatlin and Ben DuBose, this week's episode of Locked on Rockets runs through the pros and cons of various scenarios. Advertisement Among the All-Star names discussed include Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown; and guard Devin Booker and forward Kevin Durant, each of the Phoenix Suns. Discussion topics include what the hypothetical trades might look like, as well as potential sticking points in each negotiation — depending on what the surrounding roster would look like. The show also explores the potential use of Fred VanVleet's expiring contract as a trade asset, particularly in the weeks leading up to the June 29 deadline to decide on his 2025-26 team option. But, do the Rockets need to make a big move, at all? With Houston coming off a regular season with the NBA's fourth-best record, it's quite plausible that Stone and the Rockets might simply stay the course with a relatively young roster that should continue to improve, organically. Relative to 2023-24, the Rockets improved from 41-41 and No. 11 in the Western Conference to 52-30 and No. 2 in the 2024-25 West standings. A similar bump in 2025-26 could lift Houston to the tier of legitimate title contenders. Advertisement With that in mind, Locked on Rockets runs through all the scenarios. Watch and/or take a listen! More: Rockets, Fred VanVleet delay deadline for 2025-26 contract decision This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Podcast: Is 2025 the right time for Houston to make a superstar trade?
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
2025 NBA mock drafts: Entering June, Houston's outlook at No. 10 overall
Sunday is June 1, which means that it is officially draft month in the NBA. The Houston Rockets currently own the No. 10 overall pick (via the Phoenix Suns) in the June 25 first round and the No. 59 overall pick in the June 26 second round (via the Oklahoma City Thunder). 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 another young player to the mix could create a logjam. Advertisement Furthermore, with the Rockets coming off a 52-30 regular season with the NBA's fourth-best record, there could certainly be appeal to using the first-round pick as a trade asset to bring in short-term help — as opposed to yet another prospect who could take years to develop. But if the Rockets keep the pick, there is no shortage of options. As of Sunday, June 1, here is a look at the latest wave of mock drafts and players that are being projected at No. 10 overall. Scouting reports and additional information are available at each corresponding link. Should Rockets general manager Rafael Stone keep this pick and opt against trades, the depth of the team's young core at the NBA level could lead to a 2025-26 rookie spending developmental time with the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers, Houston's G League affiliate. Kasparas Jakučionis, 6-foot-6 guard, Illinois Fox Sports (May 31), Bleacher Report (May 29), NBC Sports (May 29) Carter Bryant, 6-foot-8 forward, Arizona Yahoo! Sports (May 30) Egor Demin, 6-foot-9 guard, BYU For The Win (May 29) Collin Murray-Boyles, 6-foot-7 forward, South Carolina CBS Sports (May 28), On3 (May 29) More: 2025 NBA mock drafts: Will Houston keep its 'Mr. Irrelevant' pick — and who might it be? This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: 2025 NBA mock drafts: Entering June, Houston's outlook at No. 10
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ESPN: Rockets willing to shop 2025 draft pick for win-now upgrade
Courtesy of a pick obtained from the Phoenix Suns (via the Brooklyn Nets), the Houston Rockets have a top-10 pick in the 2025 NBA draft despite having just finished a 52-30 season with the No. 2 record in the Western Conference. The good news is that it's potentially more talent to add to the roster. The bad news is Houston isn't seemingly in position to develop another young prospect. Advertisement ESPN's Zach Kram offers a trade alternative: Chatter at the combine points to Houston (picking 10th), Portland (at No. 11), and San Antonio (picking again at No. 14) as teams willing to shop picks in the back half of the lottery for win-now upgrades. Houston, of course, just took the West's No. 2 seed and already has too many young promising players to fit into its rotation, meaning it might not be incentivized to add another. Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis is among the leading options for the Rockets at No. 10, but that's if they stay there. Moving out of the draft entirely is a viable option. The good news for Houston is that among the three picks ESPN listed, it's the No. 10 selection that is highest in the order. Thus, the Rockets and general manager Rafael Stone should have sufficient optionality as the June 25 first round nears. More: 2025 NBA mock drafts: Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis draws early projections to Rockets This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ESPN: Rockets willing to shop 2025 draft pick for win-now upgrade
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Report: NBA sources expect Rockets to shop 2025 draft pick on trade market
Courtesy of an asset obtained from the Phoenix Suns (via the Brooklyn Nets), the Houston Rockets have a top-10 pick in the 2025 NBA draft despite having just finished a 52-30 season with the No. 2 record in the Western Conference. The good news is that it's potentially more talent to add to the roster. The bad news is Houston may not be in position to develop another young prospect. Advertisement Recent reports have suggested that general manager Rafael Stone could look to trade the selection, and Friday's mock draft by Kevin O'Connor (Yahoo! Sports) adds more fuel to the fire. He writes: The Rockets have a pretty deep roster, as is, and minutes could be hard to come by for an incoming freshman... like they were for Reed Sheppard last year. So, league sources expect the Rockets to look into trading this pick, whether it's a trade way up, a trade out for a star, or a trade out for a group of future picks... similar to what the Spurs received from the Timberwolves when Minnesota moved up for Rob Dillingham last year. Given their depth of young players, the idea of the Rockets consolidating multiple assets makes sense, but it obviously depends on whether a player comes available that is worth such a deal. If not, trading out is an interesting concept. As of now, Houston's team payroll is still relatively inexpensive, since Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun are the only players among the so-called 'core seven' (first-round draft picks this decade) who are on their second NBA contracts. Advertisement But when players such as Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore, and Sheppard receive lucrative extensions, the payroll is likely to rise significantly. That could make having a rookie-scale contract starting in a future season, as opposed to 2025-26, more financially efficient for purposes of filling out the surrounding roster. The 2025 first round is scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, so Stone and the Rockets still have almost four weeks to mull through the scenarios. More: 2025 NBA mock drafts: Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis frequently linked to Rockets This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: NBA sources expect Rockets to shop 2025 draft pick on trade market
