The Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors reportedly could target one of the top head coaches available on the market to change their fortunes next season.
The Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors have had very disappointing seasons in 2022-2023. While the Rockets were not expected to be a contender in the Western Conference, a team featuring talented young prospects like Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., and 2022 third overall pick Jabarai Smith were hoped to be better than having one of the worst records in the NBA this season.
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Toronto is not among one of the worst teams in the league, however, the Raptors currently having to fight for a spot in the always unpredictable NBA Play-In tournament is well below the normal standards for a franchise that has been a consistent winner and conference title contender for the better part of the last decade.
In the case of the Raptors, the disappointing results have actually led to speculation that head coach Nick Nurse could see his tenure end with the organization after five seasons, despite owning a record well over .500 and having an NBA championship on his resume during his time leading the team.
Toronto Raptors record (’22-’23): 37-38
Those rumors were addressed by Heavy.com on Saturday and the outlet reported that if the Toronto Raptors do end their relationship with Nurse, they already have a major name in mind as a possible replacement.
Houston Rockets record (’22-’23): 18-57
“Amid reports that Nick Nurse and Toronto may be looking to separate following this season, one league executive stated that [Ime Udoka], suspended for the season by the Celtics for ‘violations of team policies,’ would be of interest to the Raptors.”
– Heavy.com
The site also claimed that Nick Nurse could be a target of the Houston Rockets in the offseason, however, if the Raptors have a strong finish to the season, the disgraced former Boston Celtics head coach could also be on their radar for the 2023-2024 season.
Udoka was suspended by the Boston Celtics last summer after it was discovered that he was engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a team employee that violated team policies. In his lone season leading the team, they finished 51-31 and went all the way to the NBA Finals. falling in six games to the Golden State Warriors in six games.
The Boston Celtics still hold Udoka’s contract rights and a trade would need to be made to acquire them from the organization.