Jalen Green signed a unique three-year, $106 million extension with the Houston Rockets ahead of the 24-25 season as his value has been difficult to gauge. Green struggled to start the season, but he is averaging 31.6 points on efficient shooting over this past five games. The Rockets remain hopeful Green can emerge as a more consistent talent than he has shown to date. Green has a player option he can decline in 2027 to allow him to become an unrestricted free agent.
"They hedged a lot," said Tim MacMahon of how the Rockets handled Green's contract. "The reaction on that contract around the league was 'Hey, that looks like a contract that's designed to be salary filler in a trade.' That was the reaction around the league.
"Talking to people in Houston, they said 'Hey, we're not sure this guy's going to be a star, but we think he can. We're certainly open to that possibility.' They told me at the time and they've been consistent with it: 'We hope he turns down that player option and we're maxing him out at that point. We hope he puts us in a position where is a max player and we'll be happy to pay him.'"
Green turns 23 in February and is represented by Drew Morrison and Aaron Mintz of CAA.
