It seems that Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka may have put himself on the hot seat by reportedly asking ownership to get a Kevin Durant trade done.
Heading into the weekend, three teams were viewed as the likely next home of future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant. The Spurs, the Heat, or the Rockets. All three clubs reportedly made underwhelming offers. Sooner or later, something had to give, and one of them needed to make an offer the Suns were willing to accept.
On Monday, it was revealed that the Rockets were the winners in the sweepstakes. Sending Phoenix talented young scorer Jalen Green, defensive specialist Dillon Brooks, the 10th overall pick in this week’s NBA Draft, and five second-round picks. Their winning offer seemed to be motivated by a request from their head coach, Ime Udoka.
“He wanted him, he went to the ownership and front office and said, ‘If we can get Kevin Durant, get him,” ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst revealed on First Take.
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Did Ime Udoka just put himself on the hot seat?
Rockets coach Ime Udoka is one of the most respected in the game. Outside of an improper relationship with a staffer ending his time in Boston after a season, he has been all you can ask for in a head coach. Posting a 144-102 record in three seasons with the Celtics and Rockets.
The 47-year-old has been a huge part of Houston’s resurgence. Turning the program into one with the potential to be a perennial playoff team. There were rumblings during the season that the front office did not want to make a big trade because they liked their young core. And wanted to see how they would fare in the playoffs. They lost in the opening round, but to a very good Warriors squad.
They wanted Durant and knew he would be a difference maker. But giving up key long-term assets was something they were hesitant to do. However, following the coach’s request, they were willing to part with 23-year-old rising star Jalen Green and a lottery pick. For a 37-year-old on a one-year deal. This is now a team looking to reach the Finals next season.
Udoka should be in very strong standing. However, his seat is a lot warmer and will get very hot if the Durant experiment doesn’t work. Since he wanted it. In an era where the Suns fired a pair of NBA title-winning coaches after a season (Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer) and the Knicks dismissed Tom Thibodeau after taking them to the East Finals for the first time in over 20 years, Udoka may now have a much shorter leash.
Related: Phoenix Suns received ‘atrocious haul’ for Kevin Durant in trade to Houston Rockets
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