Former Celtics Coach Ime Udoka Reportedly Lands NBA Superstar In Blockbuster

Hours before Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Ime Udoka’s Houston Rockets stole the spotlight with a huge trade.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Rockets are acquiring Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. Houston will send Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft and five second-round picks to Phoenix for the 15-time All-Star.

The recently extended Udoka, who won the Eastern Conference during his one season coaching the Boston Celtics, may have a chance to return to the NBA Finals behind Durant.

Durant ranks seventh on the NBA’s all-time scoring leaderboard and second among active players behind LeBron James. The 36-year-old didn’t slow down much during his 17th season, averaging 26.6 points per game on a 59.8 effective field-goal percentage.

While Durant continued to play at a high level, an expensive Suns roster missed the playoffs at 36-46. They’ll reset while the Rockets aim to launch into a title contender after a 52-win campaign.

Houston was reportedly one of Durant’s preferred landing spots alongside the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. His familiarity with Udoka may have proved a selling point, as Udoka previously coached the superstar as an assistant with the Brooklyn Nets and Team USA.

The four-time scoring champion joins a burgeoning Rockets squad led by Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Fred VanVleet. Durant’s arrival costs them Green, a former No. 2 overall pick who averaged 21.0 points without missing a game in his fourth NBA season.

News of the trade broke while Durant was on stage for a panel at the Fanatics Fest in New York City. Grace McCarron of WFUV Sports shared footage of the two-time NBA Finals MVP’s instant reaction.

“We’re gonna see, man,” Durant said. “We’re gonna see what happens.”