“People didn’t see that the second half of the regular season, Houston made a huge run to make it interesting against Golden State. Jalen Green, (who) has blossomed into a player that we all thought he could be, is now doing it.” Despite the Rockets not making it to the playoffs, former team player Austin Rivers believed that the 22-year-old star was bringing a much-needed change to the organization. In just three years, Jalen Green has emerged as amongst the lead scorers for the team, teaming up with the likes of Alperen Sengun and Dillon Brooks to ensure that the franchise put its reputation of being at the bottom of the points chart every season behind them. Despite this, recent signs have now shown that the team management may not be looking to put more confidence in Green. This is causing the groundwork to be laid for a possible change, right as the preseason is concluding.

According to Shams Charania, who is now associated with his rival Adrian Wojnarowski’s old network ESPN, both Jalen Green and 6-foot-11 Alperen Sengun have not been offered any max contract by the Houston Rockets yet. Being part of the same draft class, both 22-year-olds are now eligible for a five-year extension on their rookie contracts, the amount for which can go as high as $225 million. Charania reported that while the front office and the two players have had productive conversations, the players are not budging to take anything less than a maximum extension. As a result, the final decision would have to be made on the basis of whether the players want better job security or more money.

“The Rockets will present and have present them both players with deals that brings some level of stability right now, but if both players want to bet on themselves and play it out into the year, in the restricted free agency, that’s really the tug-and-pull right now,” said Charania. “These players that are up for extensions, there’s not a max contract on the table right now. If there was, there would have been an extension sign. So between now and Monday, you’re going to see a level of stability in these contract offers. But at the end of the day, both players will have to make determinations: ‘Will we want to secure these deals, or wait until restricted free agency?’”

Jalen Green concluded his 2023-24 run by averaging 19.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. His scoring average places him as the second-average lead scorer, right behind Alperen Sengun’s 21.1. Furthermore, the last 28 games of the Rockets saw a surge from the player’s side, with his average going up to 22.8 points with 44.1% shooting. His late-season surge even earned him the respect of head coach Ime Udoka, who stated, “He has been great. He has been impressive. It did not go unnoticed with the strives he had taken, from the offensive reads to defensively. He has taken big leaps this year. As much as it hurts to go through it at times, you can see his growth throughout the season.” Therefore, if there is anyone who deserves to be handed a max contract, it is Jalen Green.

The Houston Rockets’ salary cap currently sits at approximately $164.5 million. This has allowed them to not fall into the same precarious position as several top franchises by going up the luxury tax and apron limits to incur penalties. However, a boost to the pay of both Green and Sengun may do just that. Issues in regards to not going too far over the limit have impacted even the Golden State Warriors, reportedly preventing Jonathan Kuminga from also receiving a lucrative extension deal. Therefore, seeking a better opportunity may finally compel Green to bid adieu to the franchise that drafted him. However, if one were to ask the player himself, then the thought of leaving isn’t something he is giving much importance to.

Keeping extension talk aside, Jalen Green looks to focus on the 2025 Playoffs: “There’s no reason for us to not get there”

Amidst talks of an extension, Alperen Sengun has been quite vocal about what he needs. In a statement made during a presser back in late September, the Turkish Center even went out of his way to state, “We’ve been talking. I want to get the contract, and they’re trying to negotiate with us. We’re trying to negotiate with them. It’s been good. We’re going to make it work.” Unlike his teammate, however, Green made it known that he wants to prioritize his and his team’s progress in front of any potential extension deal.

“That’s not really the focus,” said the 22-year-old. “Whatever happens, obviously, I want to be here. The main focus is the season, and what we do going forward. The main goal is playoffs. We need playoffs. There’s no reason for us to not get there.” This resonates with the remarks he made in an interview with Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen, during which he revealed “My main focus is the season ahead of me with the players that we have, go to the playoffs and go as far as we can. We’re building that team camaraderie, who we are. That’s the main focus right now, and everything will work itself out.”

It’s been four seasons since the Rockets even made it to the playoffs, and over 29 years since they clinched a championship title. With all other franchises stepping their game up right from the preseason, Green wants to follow their path. Who knows, maybe the Rockets’ potential progression during the upcoming regular season will automatically result in the contract extension that the shooting guard deserves.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.