Jalen Green could enter free agency in 2025 if he and the Houston Rockets can’t agree on terms for a contract extension. After a sensational end to last year’s campaign, the Rockets have high hopes from their young core heading into next season. Green was hosting the Jalen Green Youth Basketball Camp in Houston on Saturday and commented on his contract status with the Rockets.
“For sure. My main focus is the season ahead of me with the players that we have, go to the playoffs, and go as far as we can. We’re building that team camaraderie, who we are. That’s the main focus right now, and everything will work itself out.”
Green averaged 19.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last season, leading the Rockets to a 16-7 end to last season which saw them threaten the Warriors for the No. 10 seed in the Conference and help them avoid a losing record for the fourth season in a row.
The No. 2 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft spoke about how the team ended the season, expressing optimism for a potential Playoff run next season.
“We were really just out there playing, getting that team chemistry. That’s the biggest thing right now, working to get better … all together as a team.
“We went out last season with a bang. We’re all on the same page and know what it takes to win. We know what we can do if we play hard. I think we know what we have to do going into this season from the beginning to the end, so hopefully, that leads us into the playoffs. If we do that from the beginning, I do that from the beginning, the team does that from the beginning, we’ll be in the playoffs.”
The Rockets were one of the best 11th seeds in NBA history last season, showing the level of competition in the Western Conference. With many top teams making additional moves, the Rockets will use the 2024-25 season to decide if they want to stick with their young core or look for a win-now shakeup before next offseason.
The Rockets Are Unwilling To Hand Out Max Extensions To Jalen Green Or Alperen Sengun
Contract extensions to the top stars from the 2021 Draft Class have started to be handed out, with Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, and Franz Wagner already signing max contract extensions with their teams. Green and Sengun are both first-round picks looking for the same contract, but the Rockets are unlikely to give that to either star.
“At this stage, it’s unlikely either Sengun or Green receive max rookie extensions — both are eligible for a five-year deal worth up to $224.2 million… Houston has had conversations with both camps concerning an extension and will continue dialogue during the offseason, but the chances of either player inking a (max contract) agreement … are slim. It’s more likely the Rockets revisit this next year unless there is an agreement that benefits both sides.”
This situation could change depending on how Green and Sengun progress next season. With the Rockets reportedly pursuing a Kevin Durant trade this offseason, both Green and Sengun might be high-value trade assets over this season for a superstar win-now move, if a player becomes available.
Both players could even head out into restricted free agency to get a gauge of their market value, but the Rockets will have matching rights and could retain either similar to how the Suns retained Deandre Ayton in 2022.
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