Marcus Smart Signs With Houston Rockets

The former Celtics guard chose Houston in part to reunite with head coach Ime Udoka, his coach in Boston during the 2021-22 season.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Basketball

Marcus Smart has signed with the Houston Rockets, his next team after the Boston Celtics. He held an introductory press conference with the Rockets, where he said he would need to earn his teammates' trust.

Why it matters

The move reunites Smart with Udoka, who coached him with the Celtics in 2021-22, and places a veteran guard on a young Rockets roster. Smart also cited his ties to Texas as a factor in choosing Houston.

Smart joins Steven Adams and Fred VanVleet among the Rockets' returning players, with no defined rotation role yet announced. His reunion with Udoka adds a familiar coaching connection to a roster in transition.

The players

Marcus Smart

Marcus Smart is a veteran NBA guard who previously played for the Boston Celtics and is known for his defensive play.

Ime Udoka

Ime Udoka is the head coach of the Houston Rockets and previously coached Smart with the Boston Celtics.

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are an NBA franchise based in Houston, Texas, competing in the Western Conference.

The details

Smart said he chose Houston after weighing his prior experience with Udoka and his ties to Texas. He told reporters he will need to earn his teammates' trust as he establishes his place in the locker room.

2021-22 season: Smart and Udoka worked together with the Boston Celtics.
2026-11-02
Smart's signing with the Rockets was announced.

Season Trajectory

Smart's signing adds veteran depth to a Rockets team built around younger players, a pattern common among rebuilding squads seeking experienced guards. It also keeps Udoka's coaching staff connected to a player he already knows well from Boston.

Smart's role will shape how often Houston fans see him on the floor, and his rotation minutes will be the clearest signal of his impact. Fantasy managers should wait for an announced role before adjusting rosters around him.

The takeaway

Smart's move shows how familiar coaching relationships can influence where veteran players choose to sign. Fans and analysts should watch his early minutes to see how quickly he integrates with the Rockets' young core.