The Houston Rockets are eyeing a reunion between head coach Ime Udoka and former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart.
What's the Connection?
Udoka coached Smart during the 2021-22 season in Boston, when Smart captured the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. Their partnership led the Celtics to the NBA Finals, taking a 2-1 series lead over Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors before ultimately falling in six games.
Why it Matters for Houston Rockets
The Rockets have spent the past two years transforming from a rebuilding franchise to a playoff team. After back-to-back first-round playoff exits, they're searching for the final ingredient: veteran leadership. Adding a battle-tested veteran like Smart would directly address one of the roster's biggest weaknesses.
Recent Form
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-02-26 | Milwaukee Bucks | 100-97 Win |
The Rockets' recent form has been inconsistent, with a record of 1W-0D-1L in their last two games. Their last result was a 100-97 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on 2025-02-26. Despite this, the team remains focused on their goal of winning a championship. General manager Rafael Stone has stated that the organization is no longer in developmental mode, with their goal shifting to winning a championship.
What Comes Next?
The Rockets have assembled one of the NBA's most promising young cores around Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Reed Sheppard. However, consecutive first-round playoff exits have exposed the importance of experience. Ironically, Houston's most recent elimination came against Smart and the Lakers, who defeated the Rockets 4-2 despite entering the series as underdogs. Injuries only magnified Houston's lack of veteran stability, with Fred VanVleet's ACL injury and Steven Adams' season-ending ankle surgery contributing to their playoff heartbreak. Kevin Durant had his healthiest regular-season run, missing only four games, but an ill-timed ankle injury limited him to only one playoff game.
The connection between Udoka and Smart extends far beyond familiarity. A reunion would pair Udoka once again with one of the league's premier defensive leaders. Smart revitalized his career with the Lakers, and his addition would be a significant step in the Rockets' transition from developing young talent to chasing championships.
