There’s a “legit probability” that the Rockets and large man Alperen Sengun will conform to phrases on a rookie-scale contract extension by the Oct. 21 deadline, a supply with data of the negotiations tells Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle (subscription required).
Chatting with reporters on Monday including Michael Shapiro of The Houston Chronicle, Sengun expressed a need to get a long-term deal accomplished.
“We’ve been speaking,” he stated. “I wish to get the contract, and (the Rockets are) making an attempt to barter with us and we’re making an attempt to barter with them. So, it’s been good. We’re going to make it work. We nonetheless have time, you already know, and hopefully we are able to make it work.”
Sengun, 22, loved a breakout season in his third 12 months within the NBA in 2023-24, ending as a Most Improved Participant finalist. He averaged 21.1 factors, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in 32.5 minutes per sport throughout 63 outings (all begins).
Whereas these numbers make Sengun a robust candidate for a profitable extension this fall, there was a perception that the Rockets might want to attend on a brand new deal, since doing so would permit them to maximise their cap flexibility. The Sixers took an analogous strategy final offseason with Tyrese Maxey, pushing aside a brand new contract till this summer time for cap causes. After utilizing up their cap room this summer time, the 76ers have been capable of go over the cap to re-sign Maxey utilizing his Bird rights.
If he’s a restricted free agent subsequent summer time, Sengun would have a cap hold of roughly $16.3M, roughly 3 times his 2024-25 wage of $5.42M, however nonetheless effectively beneath his potential first-year wage on an extension. He might earn a projected maximum of as much as $38.7M in 2025-26.
Fellow 2021 first-rounder Jalen Green can also be eligible for a rookie scale extension up till Oct. 21. He downplayed the urgency to succeed in a brand new cope with the Rockets, per Kurt Helin of NBC Sports.
“That’s not likely the main focus proper now,” Inexperienced stated. “No matter occurs, clearly I wish to be right here. However the primary focus is the season. The principle objective is (making the) playoffs. That’s the place the main focus is.”
In addition to Sengun and Inexperienced, 18 other players are eligible for rookie-scale extensions this fall. Scottie Barnes, Franz Wagner, Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley have already signed them.
