HOUSTON — Rockets general manager Rafael Stone has a policy not to comment on contract negotiations, but he did say at Monday’s end-of-season media availability that he is “extremely high” on the future of Amen Thompson.
“I fully expect they will be with us for the foreseeable future,” Stone said of Thompson and Tari Eason, who are both eligible for contract talks this offseason. Eason will enter restricted free agency in late June, should an agreement not be reached before then.
As for Thompson, during his third NBA season, the 23-year-old averaged 18.3 points (53.4% FG), 7.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in 37.4 minutes per game. An athletic and versatile 6-foot-7 guard/forward, Thompson’s points, assists, and minutes totals were all career-highs, and he remains a dynamic defensive player, as well.
Drafted at No. 4 overall in the 2023 first round, Thompson is eligible this offseason for a rookie-scale contract extension that could be worth more than $250 million over five years.
Per Will Guillory and Sam Amick of The Athletic, Thompson is “expected to sign” a “lucrative extension” this summer, though they did not specify whether it would be for the maximum terms available.
Should Thompson not sign an extension before the 2026-27 season, he would be slated to enter restricted free agency in the 2027 offseason, similar to Eason this year. In both cases, Houston would have the right to match any outside offer and still retain each player.
Last year, Jabari Smith Jr. (drafted in 2022) agreed to his second Rockets contract on June 29, 2025, one day prior to the NBA’s annual opening of free agency negotiations on June 30. A similar timeline on Thompson’s deal could potentially give Houston more clarity as it enters a pivotal window for upgrading its roster.
The Rockets are coming off consecutive seasons with matching 52-30 records and first-round playoff exits.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Report: Rockets, Amen Thompson expected to extend contract this offseason
Reporting by Ben DuBose, Rockets Wire / Rockets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
