In the Houston circuits, two coveted players were awaiting an extension. Alperen Sengun, coming off a breakout season is slated as the future franchise star. And there is Jalen Green, an acrobat who saw a late scoring spike last year. However, just a few days ago, reports erupted about the franchise not considering either of the two for a rookie max contract extension. In some ways, that remains true. However, Green has secured a future with the franchise.

According to Shams Charania, the 22-year-old has agreed on a three-year $106 million deal with the Houston Rockets. The last year of the contract will be a player option. Despite it not being the rookie max, the short-term deal opens up a vast door for Jalen Green. As Charania noted, the reason for the player option is “providing ability to increase Green’s career earning potential”.

It basically means the Rockets are unsure but not counting Green out of their future. The former second-overall pick is coming off averaging a career-high in rebounds while also maintaining a healthy scoring chart through his three seasons with the franchise. If he does reach his ceiling anytime in these three years, Jalen Green can initiate negotiations for an improved and more lucrative deal in the future.

The shifty guard averaged 19.6 points last season, second on the entire team behind Sengun, and showed positive signs of improvement toward the end of last season. Yet, it seems the fans aren’t satisfied with the deal.

NBA fans think Jalen Green is overpaid

A large consensus of the NBA crowd didn’t show any mercy toward Green. Despite him inking a short-term, lower-valued deal than what he was eligible for, fans still believe the Rockets are being generous. “Most overpaid player in NBA history,” one such fan commented. But is there any truth to it?

Green, even though not spectacular yet, has shown several signs of his ceiling. He has a secure handle and is great at creating separation. However, in his first three years, his defensive capabilities have come under fire. However, he made tremendous strides as a stopper, under te mentorship of Fred VanVleet.

Still, the fans didn’t stop their onslaught. Until now, Green is averaging 19.8 points in his first three seasons with the Rockets. Moreover, his late-season burst propelled the Rockets to remain in playoff contention until the very end of the season. Still, the fans aren’t convinced. “We got role players getting 100 mil,” a naysayer professed.

But to the Rockets, what they saw toward the end of the season was promising. In the last 24 games of the season, Green came up with thunderous production on both sides of the floor. With averages of  24.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.1 steals, HC Ime Udoka spoke highly of his ‘resilience’. “He played 82 games through injury, fatigue, frustration. Never complained about it,” he said of Green.

The confidence has swooned not just Udoka, but also VanVleet, who expressed pride in Jalen Green last season. Harnessing the confidence around the franchise, the 22-year-old enjoyed a lavish postseason, averaging 20.5 points in four games while showing noticeable improvement in his three-point shooting. With that, some fans will he will finally erupt in the following season.

“Deserved, yall about to learn about Jalen Green this season,” a supporter of Green wrote. Even without a contract on his table, Jalen Green didn’t seem deterred. His aim to revive the Rockets and end their playoff drought. “We’re building that team camaraderie, who we are. That’s the main focus right now, and everything will work itself out,” he told Jonathan Feigen.

The only concern now remains on the future of Alperen Sengun. If he doesn’t sign an extension in the coming hours, he will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season. Do you think Houston will offer him a full rookie max or will they take the Jalen Green approach? Let us know your views in the comments below.