The Houston Rockets hit big in the 2021 NBA draft, selecting Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun to start their rebuild after the James Harden era. With Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley and Scottie Barnes earning max contract extensions, the 2021 second overall pick finds himself still waiting on his turn to get the bag.
Aside from the three 2021 draft picks mentioned, Franz Wagner is also set to get a max extension from the Orlando Magic. With four players getting the salary increase, Green and Sengun are still waiting for the Rockets to make an offer.
In a report by Justin Smith of “The Dream Shake” by SB Nation, out of the two rookies, Sengun is expected to earn the max extension, while Green still needs to prove that he deserves it during the 2024–25 season.
“As for Green, I think both sides will be content in seeing how this season plays out. Green has already seen his peers, Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes and now Mobley, seal up max extensions this summer, and there’s no doubt in his own mind that he’s also on their level,” Smith writes.
“There should also be the understanding that his level of play hasn’t fully warranted the same amount of faith on Houston’s side, but that also doesn’t mean his earning potential has plateaued,” Smith adds.
Jalen Green rumored to be on the Houston Rockets trading block
It was quite a roller coaster ride for Jalen Green in his first three years in the NBA. The Houston Rockets opting to sign Fred VanVleet to start the 2023–24 season saw the 22-year-old having chemistry problems with the veteran point guard.
During the trade deadline, Green’s name came up as one of the players that the Rockets had shopped. Months later, the possibility of trading the Filipino-American athlete is still on the rumor mill.
Looking ahead in Green’s future, the Rockets opting to hold on to giving him a contract extension looks to be a sign that his current team is still open to moving the high-scoring guard. Averaging 19.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists, the production of that six-foot-four guard can be a valuable trade chip for teams that may opt to build a young core of players.
On the other hand, Alperen Sengun is more likely to be extended by the Rockets, as the European big man has outvalued his rookie batchmate, averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
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