The upcoming NBA season is pivotal for the Houston Rockets. They have become one of the best teams in the Western Conference, but head coach Ime Udoka is frustrated by their playoff shortcomings in consecutive years.
NBA insider Shams Charania revealed the latest move by the organization as they look to win a championship.
Rockets Hiring Top Assistant From Western Conference Rival
Charania revealed the Rockets are hiring Oklahoma City Thunder and three-time champion assistant coach Chip Engelland to their staff. Charania broke the news on X, saying “Engelland, well regarded in player development and shooting speciality, spent the last four seasons with the Thunder after a 17-year run in San Antonio where he built a relationship with Udoka.”
The Houston Rockets are hiring Chip Engelland as a new assistant coach on Ime Udoka’s staff, sources tell ESPN. Engelland — well-regarded in player development and shooting speciality — spent the last four seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder after a 17-year run in San…
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 22, 2026
Engelland helped the Thunder build the deepest roster in the league, as they nearly earned another trip to the NBA Finals this past season, but fell short against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals.
Engelland helped lottery picks Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren develop into All-Stars. The Thunder have also finished in the top 10 in three-point shooting the last three seasons, which Charania cites as a credit to Engelland.
Engelland will be tasked with helping guards Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard take the new step in their careers. Thompson is almost universally considered a future All-Star; his shooting has clearly limited his short-term ceiling.
Thompson shot 21.6% from three during the regular season and 25 percent in the playoffs. Opposing defenses don’t guard Thompson when he’s not handling the basketball, which has caused Udoka to make tough decisions at times.
Engelland will look to help Thompson become a respectable perimeter shooter, which many feel is the final step before he potentially becomes the Rockets’ franchise player.
Another @NBASummerLeague in the books 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/0qqLZCe0K6
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) July 22, 2026
While Engelland won’t have to do as much shooting work with Sheppard, Sheppard clearly wasn’t ready to play meaningful minutes in the playoffs, which frustrated Udoka and Kevin Durant, among others, in the organization.
Sheppard competes defensively and can shoot, but the Rockets need to see more playmaking from him to determine whether he’s the point guard of the future.
Despite becoming an established All-Star, center Alperen Şengün is another player Engelland can assist. Şengün regressed last season, as speculation around the league began about whether he’s a franchise player or a high-level supporting piece.
The Rockets are hoping Engelland can have the same impact on their organization as he did with the Thunder.
