In a stunning turn of events, rumors have begun to swirl that the Houston Rockets may not be willing to offer max contract extensions to their 2021 draft picks, Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun. This decision could potentially leave the Rockets without two of their most promising scorers in the near future, shaking up the future of the team.
The drama escalated when Sengun himself decided to speak out about the contract extension situation. In an exclusive interview with Turkish journalist Fatih Altaylı, Sengun revealed, “We are waiting. My managers are negotiating with them.” The tension surrounding the negotiations has left fans on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the outcome.
Both Green and Sengun currently have the opportunity to become restricted free agents in the next season if the Rockets choose to extend a qualifying offer to them. However, if the offer is not extended, they will become unrestricted free agents, free to sign with any team of their choosing. The fate of these two young talents hangs in the balance, with the Rockets holding the power to match any contract offer within a 24-hour window.
The significance of locking in young talent cannot be understated, as demonstrated by the recent contract extensions of other 2021 NBA Draft picks. Players like Scottie Barnes, Cade Cunningham, and Evan Mobley all signed lucrative max contracts this summer, securing their futures with their respective teams. These signings provide Green and Sengun with valuable leverage in their own negotiations, especially considering the injury and consistency issues faced by their peers.
However, the Rockets’ unconventional offseason strategy sets them apart from teams like the Raptors and Cavaliers, who prioritize securing their young stars. It remains to be seen whether Houston will ultimately prioritize retaining Green and Sengun, or if they will take a different approach altogether. The uncertainty surrounding the contract talks adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already captivating offseason in the world of basketball.
