Days into the New York Knicks’ search for a new head coach, they asked the Houston Rockets for permission to interview their head coach, Ime Udoka.
Houston was having none of it.
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On Tuesday, SNY reporter Ian Begley reported that the Knicks reached out to the Rockets about interviewing Udoka to pursue a possible trade for Houston’s head man.
The proposal came days after the Knicks relieved head coach Tom Thibodeau of his duties.
He said the Rockets had “no interest” in entertaining any scenario involving Udoka leaving Houston.
Knicks formally reached out to Rockets for permission to talk to head coach Ime Udoka and Rockets denied permission, per people familiar with Rockets’ stance. @MikeFrancesa said Knicks reached out to Minnesota and were denied permission to talk to Chris Finch. The Athletic’s…
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 11, 2025
Udoka’s two-year tenure with the Rockets has been nothing short of a success story. After taking over a team that averaged just 20 wins over its last three seasons in 2023, Udoka led Houston to a 41-41 record in his first season at the helm.
Houston built on that success in 2024, posting a 52-30 record and earning the No. 2 seed in a loaded Western Conference. Although the Rockets’ postseason ended in a gritty, seven-game series loss in Round 1, Udoka has given the Rockets all the reasons in the world to feel optimistic about his tenure going forward.
And judging by their rejection of the Knicks’ proposal, the Rockets are all in on Coach Udoka.
