As one might expect in interviews for a team with approximately $60 million in salary cap space, it seems many prospective Houston Rockets coaches wanted to learn more about the plans general manager Rafael Stone may have for using it in the 2023 offseason.
Former Celtics coach Ime Udoka, of course, was the eventual hire made by the Rockets to replace Stephen Silas. Former NBA head coaches Frank Vogel and James Borrego interviewed, as well.
Those types of big names can be selective when it comes to their next job, so understandably, they wanted to learn more during the search process about Houston’s situation and its roster plans.
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports has more:
Houston’s long-rumored potential reunion with [James] Harden, the 76ers guard who holds a player option for 2023-24, in addition to the Rockets’ chances at landing other primary free agents and top-billing trade targets this offseason, were repeated themes throughout Houston’s conversations with coaching candidates, sources said. [Khris] Middleton [of the Milwaukee Bucks] has been another potential target discussed throughout the Rockets’ coaching search, sources said.
Udoka spent time with Harden as an assistant during the All-Star guard’s first season in Brooklyn. And Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown, whom rival executives are closely monitoring as he becomes extension eligible this summer, has been one of Udoka’s most public supporters after Boston suspended the coach following an improper relationship with a Celtics staffer.
The Rockets, sources said, also addressed the idea of including second-year guard Jalen Green, the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, as part of a package for acquiring established star talent.
With regards to the Green passage, note the wording. “Addressed the idea” doesn’t specify whether Houston is intrigued by such a concept, or if it was merely floated by a coaching candidate. And if it was from one of many candidates outside of Udoka, it doesn’t matter anymore.
With regards to Udoka specifically, it’s worth noting that he spoke highly of Green’s talent at his introductory press conference.
The larger, more important takeaway is that the 2023 offseason could feature blockbuster moves (or at least attempts at them) by the Rockets, and that’s no secret around the NBA. And with Houston’s own first-round draft capital owed to Oklahoma City for multiple years starting with 2023-24, there’s no longer any incentive to lose.
Buckle up.
Milwaukee’s decision on Mike Budenholzer’s future looks far simpler from the outside. On the Bucks’ sudden offseason, Houston’s summer approach with Ime Udoka as head coach, plus intel on Detroit and Washington for @YahooSports: https://t.co/8Z5LEZr1Ll
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) April 28, 2023
