The Houston Rockets and guard Jalen Green have agreed to a three-year, $106 million extension to his rookie contract, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, citing Green’s CAA agents. The new deal includes a third-year player option, ensuring flexibility for the 22-year-old as he continues to grow within the Rockets’ organization.
Selected as the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, following Cade Cunningham who was picked first overall by the Detroit Pistons, Green has quickly made his mark in the NBA. Standing 6-foot-4, the dynamic guard has averaged 19.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game over three seasons, shooting 42.1% from the field and 33.7% from beyond the arc. His performance has established him as one of the key pieces of the Rockets’ rebuilding process, told Bleacher Report.
Green initially signed a four-year, $40.8 million contract as a rookie, and his new extension signals the Rockets’ confidence in his potential as a cornerstone of their young team. Alongside Green, his teammate Alperen Şengün, also a member of the 2021 rookie class, secured a five-year, $185 million contract extension shortly after Green’s deal was announced. Şengün averaged a career-high 21.1 points and 9.3 rebounds last season, solidifying his importance to the Rockets’ future.
Both Green and Şengün join other notable players from the 2021 draft class who agreed to extensions ahead of Monday’s deadline. These players include Cade Cunningham (Pistons), Evan Mobley (Cavaliers), Scottie Barnes (Raptors), Jalen Suggs (Magic), Franz Wagner (Magic), and others.
As part of a young core, Green is surrounded by promising talent such as Alperen Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, and rookie Reed Sheppard, all of whom are under the age of 23. With the additions of veteran players Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks to the starting lineup, the Rockets are poised to take significant steps forward this season, transitioning from a lottery-bound team to playoff contenders in the highly competitive Western Conference.
The Rockets will tip off their season on Wednesday, facing the Charlotte Hornets, as the team looks to build momentum and compete for a playoff spot.