Rockets’ Jalen Green Wants to Sign Contract Extension with Team (But Likely Won’t Do It Before the Season)

Looking at the 2021 NBA Draft class, No. 1 Cade Cunningham received his max extension, No. 3 Evan Mobley extended his contract with the Cavaliers, as did No. 4 Scottie Barnes with the Rockets and No. 5 Jalen Suggs extended his contract in Orlando.

That year’s No. 2 draft pick, Jalen Green of the Rockets, would like to extend his contract in Houston, but said he is focused on the upcoming season and not on his contract. H spoke with the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen during the Jalen Green Youth Basketball Camp in Houston.

“Definitely,” Green said of his preference to sign a long-term deal with the Rockets. “My main focus is on this upcoming season with the players we have, getting to the playoffs and going as far as we can. Building that team camaraderie, who we are. That’s the main focus right now and everything will work itself out.”

Both Green and promising center Alperen Sengun are eligible for extensions, and on most teams, they would both already have new contracts. Houston, however, is a different story. The team is loaded with young talent: Green, Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Summer League star Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore and Tari Eason. There are so many good players, but not all of them are getting extensions from the Rockets, the team can’t afford it.

Unless Green or Sengun agree to a below-market contract (which they shouldn’t), the feeling around the league is that Houston will let the upcoming season play out sooner, get a better understanding of how their young players are developing and fitting together, and then decide who to extend and who to trade or get rid of. Houston’s front office just wants to see one more season, get more information, and then make some tough choices.

In the meantime,
The Rockets — who started slowly but finished strong last season, going 41-41 on the year and just one game out of the play-in — are looking to take a step forward this season. Green said he’s excited about that.

“We started last season with a bang. We’re all on the same page, we know what it takes to win. We know what we can do if we play hard. I think we know what we need to do this season from start to finish, so hopefully that takes us to the playoffs.”

Many eyes will be on Houston this season.