Matt Johnson
The Houston Rockets are coming off a first-round exit in the NBA Playoffs, extending their streak without a Semifinals appearance to six seasons. While the Rockets’ young core didn’t take a step forward this season, it appears one of them is about to get rewarded with a huge deal.
According to Sam AMmick and William Guillory of The Athletic, the Rockets are expected to sign Amen Thompson to a contract extension this offseason that will be worth more than $250 million over five years.
Thompson, age 23, earned NBA All-Defensive First Team honors this past season. Selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, many around the league have been high on the 6-foot-7 wing for his length and outstanding defensive ability. In each of the past two seasons, he’s been viewed as a player who could make the leap into superstardom and Houston hasn’t been willing to include him in any trade proposals to land an established superstar.
When Thompson signs the five-year contract extension worth $250-plus million, his average annual salary of $50-plus million will make him one of the six highest-paid shooting guards in the NBA. He’ll be paid in the same range as Donovan Mitchell and just ahead of Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards ($48.924 million average annual value).
Importantly, per The Athletic, Rockets ownerhsip is giving approval for the front office to spend more on the roster next season and it wants to keep the young core together. There could, however, be an issue for Houston once the contract extension goes into effect.
Why the Rockets Might Regret an Amen Thompson Contract Extension
Entering the offseason, per Basketball Reference, the Rockets payroll for the 2026-27 season is already at $184.925 million. Alperen Sengun is now making more than $35 million per year, Jabari Smith Jr.’s extension also kicks in next season and nearly doubles his salary to $23.643 million. Adding $50-plus million for Thompson, the Rockets will be committing $200 million to a core of players who haven’t been to the Western Conference semifinals together.
There were also some real signs of limitations to Thompson’s game this season. While he averaged 19.2 points per game in the first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, it came in 44 minutes per game and 14.3 shot attempts per contest.
In his third NBA season, Thompson didn’t consistently demonstrate the ability to be a primary scorer who can get his own shot and take over games during the playoffs. However, a $250 million contract extension is paying him to perform at that level.
All of the money owed to the current core, in addition to the team’s desires to bring in another star this summer, could complicate the ability to retain Tari Eason. Even if Eason returns, this would be one of the most expensive rosters in the NBA and it doesn’t have any postseason success to show for it.
