The NBA’s group of highest-paid head coaches will now have a much-deserved new member.

On Thursday morning, the Houston Rockets announced that they reached an agreement to extend head coach Ime Udoka’s contract long term, making him one of the league’s highest-paid head coaches.

In the three seasons before Udoka’s arrival, the Rockets only won a combined 59 games. In the two seasons since his hiring, Houston has claimed 93 victories.

Last season, the Rockets made the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season, going 52-30, earning the second seed in the West.

Houston ran into a good Golden State team in the first round and pushed them to the brink before falling in a Game 7.

Udoka’s extension comes just a few weeks after the Rockets denied the New York Knicks a chance to interview him.

Before being hired by the Rockets, Udoka led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals in his only season as head coach in 2021-2022.

When Udoka was hired, Rockets owner and current US ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta said, “The NBA told me they felt really comfortable with Ime becoming the coach of the Houston Rockets, that made me feel really good, especially after having several lengthy conversations.

The roster with which Udoka has to work could look a little bit different by the time the season tips off, with Houston remaining prevalent in the running for a potential Kevin Durant trade.

Houston also has until June 29th to decide whether or not they will pick up Fred VanVleet’s $44.9 million team option.

VanVleet and the Rockets are reportedly both interested in a reunion, but Houston could negotiate a lower salary for VanVleet to have some money in which they would likely spend on 3-point shooting.