When James Harden departed from the Houston Rockets, it appeared the team was headed for a lengthy rebuild to regain relevance. Without their dynamic guard leading the offense, the excitement level dipped significantly.
Indeed, the Rockets spent the following seasons near the top of the lottery. However, the young talent they acquired through the draft and free agency has positioned them within striking distance of the play-in tournament.
A significant factor in their respectable performance this season has been the contributions of Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun. Both were drafted in the same year and have become reliable pillars for the team. Green has established himself as an exceptional scorer, while Sengun is often compared to a less polished version of Nikola Jokic.
Despite assumptions that the Rockets would be eager to secure long-term deals for these two, a recent update on their potential contract extensions gives Houston fans cause for concern.
The Houston Rockets are reluctant to offer Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun maximum rookie extensions.
Sports Illustrated’s Kade Kimble reported that Houston is unlikely to offer the eligible max extensions, worth over $200 million, to either Green or Sengun. He cited The Athletic’s Kelly Iko for the information:
“At this stage, it’s unlikely either Şengün or Green receive max rookie extensions — both are eligible for a five-year deal worth up to $224.2 million, per The Athletic’s salary cap expert Danny LeRoux,” Iko writes. “Houston has had conversations with both camps concerning an extension and will continue dialogue during the offseason, but the chances of either player inking an agreement in the realm of fellow 2021 draftees Cade Cunningham ($236 million) or Scottie Barnes (potentially up to $270 million) are slim.”
The Rockets recognize they can’t afford to lose these players if they hope to make an unexpected push for the play-in tournament.
Jalen Green averaged 19.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last season, proving himself as a reliable scoring option. He’s shown an ability to make difficult shots and will be crucial to the Rockets’ offense next season.
Similarly, Alperen Sengun has developed into a tough matchup for opposing defenses. Last season, he posted impressive averages of 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. Sengun is the team’s offensive cornerstone, and the Rockets would struggle significantly without him.
While the Rockets clearly have a plan for both players, fans will be anxious that it doesn’t result in either Green or Sengun leaving for teams willing to offer them the contracts they deserve.
