After Ime Udoka’s Contract Extension, Who Are The Highest-Paid NBA Coaches?

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka has agreed to a contract extension, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA. See which coaches top the list below.

Ime Udoka Signs Contract Extension With Rockets

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka has agreed to a long-term contract extension with the franchise that makes him one of the highest paid NBA coaches, after a 52-win season and top-2 seed for the first time in seven years, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/fah9NMuWyj

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 19, 2025

After completing the turnaround to relevance in Houston, the Rockets awarded Udoka a new contract.

Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, Udoka has agreed to a long-term contract that makes him one of the highest-paid coaches in the league.

Udoka has only three seasons under his belt as a head coach.

Udoka was named the head coach of the Boston Celtics after Brad Stevens left the sidelines to become the President of Basketball Operations.

Udoka guided the Celtics to the NBA Finals in his first year, losing to the Golden State Warriors in six games.

Expectations for Udoka and the Celtics were sky-high the following year. However, Udoka never coached another game for the team again.

In September 2022, the Celtics suspended Udoka for the entire year after violating team policies by engaging in an intimate relationship with a female staff member.

The Celtics eventually made interim head coach Joe Mazulla the permanent head coach in February of that season.

In April 2023, the Rockets hired Udoka as their next head coach. Houston missed the playoffs in Udoka’s first season with a 41-41 record.

The Rockets took a massive leap this past season, registering a 52-30 record and qualifying for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

The Rockets lost their opening-round series to the Golden State Warriors in seven games.

With a young core and Udoka at the helm, the Rockets have a chance to be a Western Conference contender next season. If the Rockets acquire Kevin Durant, Houston could be the team to challenge Oklahoma City.

Highest-Paid NBA Coaches

BREAKING NEWS: “Ime Udoka has reached agreement on a long term contract extension with the Houston Rockets..

This makes him one of the highest paid coaches in the NBA right now" ~ @ShamsCharania #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/coepcsaPQL

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 19, 2025

Charania’s report states that Udoka’s contract extension makes him one of the highest-paid NBA coaches.

The contract details have not been revealed. However, Charania’s language suggests Udoka is likely now one of the five highest-paid coaches in the league.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has the highest annual salary of $17.5 million.

San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich was second on the list at $17 million per year before his transition into the front office.

Miami’s Erik Spoelstra now moves into second place at $15 million annually.

Los Angeles Clippers coach Ty Lue earns $14 million per year, followed by Milwaukee’s Doc Rivers at $11 million.

Udoka’s new average salary probably falls somewhere between $11 million and $15 million annually.