The Houston Rockets are currently facing a critical decision regarding the future of two of their young stars, Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, as both are eligible for contract extensions ahead of the 2024-25 season. Shams Charania, speaking on NBA Today, shared insights into the ongoing negotiations between the Rockets and the camps of Green and Sengun.
(Cleaned up for better understanding)
“The Rockets front office and both Jalen Green, Alpern Sengun their camps, they’ve had productive conversations, resourceful conversation.”
But at the end of the day, both players have belief, and obviously in their play, in their production last season, and what their ceiling could be, that they are maximum contract type of players potentially down the line.”
“So the Rockets will present and have presented both players with deals that does bring some level of stability right now. But if both players want to bet on themselves and play it out into the year in a restricted free agency that’s really the tug and pull right now.”
“These players that are up for extensions there’s not a max contract on the on the table right now. If there was, there would have been an extension sign.”
“So I think between now and Monday you’re going to see a level of stability in these contract offers. But at the end of day, both players will have to make a determination if we will want to secure those deals or wait until becoming restricted free agents.”
Both players believe in their potential and view themselves as deserving of max contracts down the line. The Rockets, on the other hand, have presented offers that would provide stability but fall short of the maximum value.
While both players have shown promise and contributed significantly to the team’s recent progress, the Rockets are reportedly hesitant to offer them maximum contract extensions at this time, a stance that has sparked much discussion within the NBA community.
This gap between what the players are seeking and what the team is willing to offer has left both sides in a tug-of-war, with the possibility that Green and Sengun may decide to bet on themselves and enter restricted free agency after the 2024-25 season.
Jalen Green, who averaged 19.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last season, struggled with efficiency, shooting 42.3% from the field and just 33.2% from three-point range. Despite the down year, which was partially attributed to the team adjusting to new additions like Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, Green remains a central figure in the Rockets’ long-term plans.
The explosive guard has demonstrated flashes of star potential since being drafted second overall in 2021, but the inconsistencies in his game raise questions about whether he is truly worth a max extension at this stage of his career.
Alpern Sengun, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the most promising young centers in the league. Coming off a breakout season where he averaged 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists while shooting 53.7% from the field, the Turkish big man has developed into a versatile offensive threat with strong playmaking abilities.
Despite his impressive individual performance, questions remain about his ability to lead the Rockets to sustained success. Like Green, Sengun has expressed interest in signing an extension, but the Rockets are cautious about committing max money before seeing more consistency in his game.
Both Green and Sengun are eligible for rookie max extensions, which could be worth up to $225 million over five years. However, the Rockets are mindful of their financial flexibility and appear to be playing the long game, potentially allowing the players to hit restricted free agency before committing to long-term deals. By doing so, Houston could preserve salary cap space and maintain leverage in future negotiations.
For the Rockets, this approach provides both benefits and risks. On one hand, it allows the team to assess the development of their young stars over another season before making a significant financial commitment.
On the other hand, it could create uncertainty and dissatisfaction among Green and Sengun, leading them to test the market for higher offers. Given their potential, the Rockets will need to carefully balance their desire to retain both players with the need to build a sustainable roster for the future.
As the October 21 deadline for rookie extensions approaches, it remains to be seen whether the Rockets and their young stars can reach an agreement. If not, both Green and Sengun will enter the 2024-25 season without extensions, leaving the door open for a pivotal offseason next summer. The Rockets’ decision on these contracts could shape the future trajectory of the franchise, determining whether they can build a contending team around their young core or risk losing key pieces to free agency.
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