Ime Udoka can likely be scratched off the shortlist of Knicks coaching candidates.
The head coach of the Rockets is under contract until 2027, meaning Houston would have to grant permission just for the Knicks to interview him.
And the Knicks would then have to negotiate compensation to the Rockets to pry their coach away from them.
The Rockets have “no interest in entertaining that,” according to The Athletic.
The Knicks fired coach Tom Thibodeau after they were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals in six games by the Pacers.
Thibodeau had been in charge for five years, leading the Knicks to the postseason in four of those seasons.
“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans,” Knicks president Leon Rose said in a statement. “This pursuit has led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we’ve decided to move in another direction. We can’t thank Tom enough for pouring his heart and soul into each and every day of being the New York Knicks head coach. He led us not only with class and professionalism for the past five seasons, but also tremendous success on the court with four playoff berths and four playoff series victories.
“Ultimately, we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward. Tom will always be part of our Knicks family and we truly wish him nothing but the best in the future.”
Udoka, despite off-court controversies, is considered one of the best coaches in the NBA.
He led the Celtics to an NBA Finals appearance in his first season in Boston before losing to the Warriors in six games.
But his Celtics tenure lasted just one year, as he was suspended and subsequently fired for an alleged improper relationship with a female staffer.
He has served as the Rockets’ head coach for the past two seasons, leading a stunning turnaround for the franchise.
They recorded a 52-30 record this year, finishing second in the Western Conference before losing to the Warriors in the first round of the playoffs.
The Rockets went 41-41 in his first year with the team.
In the four seasons prior to Udoka taking over, the Rockets did not win more than 22 games.