Rockets Recruiting: Can Coach Ime Udoka Sign James Harden Back to Houston?

The Houston Rockets have a new man leading mission control ... and his name is Ime Udoka. And maybe this move can lead to another blockbuster transaction.

The Rockets shook up the NBA world Monday afternoon by hiring Udoka, available after a successful term with the Boston Celtics, which ended in a trip to the NBA Finals last year. However, after violating team policies ahead of this season, the Celtics suspended and eventually dismissed Udoka after interim coach Joe Mazzulla impressed the organization.

Hiring a winning coach like Udoka signals that the Rockets are tired of losing and they want to win sooner rather than later ... so could that mean Udoka might be bringing a friend of his back to Houston?

Udoka was an assistant coach for the Nets when former Rockets star James Harden experienced his first season with Brooklyn, and the two have a good working relationship. Once Udoka left for the Celtics, as it happens, Harden's relationship with the Nets began to deteriorate. This could in theory intrigue Harden even more to return to Clutch City and sign with the Rockets this summer.

Harden has been linked to a reunion with the Rockets for months, and hiring Udoka could be that extra bit of rope that completes the bridge from his days in Philadelphia to "back home'' in Houston where many fans believe he belongs.

You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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