HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets reportedly agreed to rookie extensions with two of their core players.
Jalen Green, the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, inked a three-year extension worth $106 million, according to reports. Green is entering the final season of his rookie contract. The new deal will begin next season and includes a player option for the third year, giving him the flexibility to opt out of the contract before the 2027-28 season to become a free agent.
The Rockets also locked up Alperen Şengün on a five-year, $185 million rookie extension. Şengün's deal also comes with a built-in player option in the final year.
The deals were announced by Bobby Marks and Shams Charania on Monday.
Green played in all 82 games last season and averaged 19.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists to help the Rockets make a 19-game improvement from the previous season. Green has made 545 3-pointers including a career-high 201 last season. The 22-year-old Green was drafted at 19 after spending one season with the G League Ignite.
Green operates primarily as a shooting guard when he's on the court and has led the team in scoring in two out of three of his professional seasons. Last year, Şengün, also 22, led the team in scoring by averaging just over 21 points per game.
The Rockets have a core of young talent and the deals with Green and Şengün make it clear that the team sees them as critical pieces to what they want to accomplish. Last year, Houston finished with a 41-41 record and didn't make the playoffs.
