The Houston Rockets and guard Jalen Green agreed to a three-year, $106 million contract extension Monday, ahead of the 6 p.m. deadline for rookie-scale extensions, league sources confirmed. The deal includes a player option.
ESPN first reported news of the extension.
Green, 22, cements his place as part of an exciting Rockets young core that is looking to return to the postseason for the first time since 2020. Green was drafted second overall in 2021.
His contract is a product of a creative Rockets front office that sought a combination of rewarding Green for his production at the tail end of the 2023-24 season, accounting for his future projections and providing financial flexibility for the organization moving forward.
Free, daily sports updates direct to your inbox.
Free, daily sports updates direct to your inbox.
Sign Up
At the beginning of the offseason, The Athletic reported that Houston’s brass was unlikely to reward Green with a max extension. But in locking him up for at least the next two seasons — he’ll earn $33.5 million in 2024-25, per a league source — Green will have security in the interim and the opportunity to get back to the negotiating table in two years.
From the Rockets’ perspective, there is extreme confidence that Green will resume the strong play displayed in March. Green averaged 27.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists, leading Houston to a 13-2 record and pushing the franchise to the brink of a Play-In Tournament spot.
Houston intends to keep their young core together. Green, Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Cam Whitmore and Tari Eason represent seven first-round picks over the last four seasons, all of which stand to have roles under coach Ime Udoka. By signing Green now, any major decisions about the remainder of the core are pushed out by at least another three years, giving the Rockets ample time to see exactly what they have.
(Photo: Alex Slitz / Getty Images)
