Houston's move to hire Udoka comes after the franchise targeted a number of candidates with previous coaching experience in recent weeks. The Rockets interviewed Udoka as well as former Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel, and former Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse was also widely considered a candidate. But per Wojnarowski, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone worked quickly to secure Udoka as the franchise's next coach.
Udoka's arrival in Houston coincides with what will be a crucial season for the franchise. The Rockets are looking to exit the lottery and return to playoff contention after an abysmal trio of seasons under former coach Stephen Silas, in which the roster was both too young and too bereft of talent to truly compete in the wake of James Harden's departure.