What to Expect from Amen Thompson’s Upcoming Contract Extension

With the NBA deadline for Amen Thompson’s contract extension approaching, an official agreement is expected to take place in the near future. The NBA has a strict deadline for the 2023 draft class to sign rookie extension contracts, so the negotiations between Thompson and the Houston Rockets will have to be finalized by October 19, 2026. If they are not finalized, Thompson will enter restricted free agency in July 2027.

Houston has shown that they are completely dedicated and invested in the talented 23-year-old. Thompson is a cornerstone of the franchise’s long-term future, and they have declared him as the only “untouchable” player on the roster.

Thompson is an extremely versatile and athletic two-way player, and the prestige of his expected contract is merited. With a seven-foot wingspan and explosive quickness, he can guard almost any guard and forward. Thompson held his opposing assignments to 40.7% overall field goal shooting. This ranked as the best in the entire NBA for players who defended at least 500 shots throughout the season.

His offensive attributes are making vast improvements. Thompson had a very impressive 2.65 assist-to-turnover ratio, showcasing an elite combination of talent and high basketball IQ. Thompson is also an elite finisher in the paint, converting 71.2% of his attempts at the rim.

However, the opposing defenses were able to lay off of him anywhere from 8 feet away from the rim, as his shooting is subpar. Thompson shot 34.1% from mid-range and an abysmal 21.6% from three-point range.

Looking to improve the team's shooting, Houston just hired Chip Engelland to be the assistant coach. Engelland is known as the Shot Doctor, and his outstanding track record proves that he can refine Thompson’s shooting. Thompson will be Engelland’s priority, and Engelland will focus on honing in on his shooting techniques. If Thompson can become a better perimeter shooter, he will reach a higher caliber of eliteness, further motivating Houston to remain invested in the young star.

Thompson is currently eligible for a five-year contract worth up to $252 million. However, Houston is likely to negotiate a contract around $200 million, as the franchise has minimal salary flexibility and is close to the cap. Thompson’s salary is predicted to increase by around $30million annually, which would eliminate Houston’s salary cap space.

General manager Rafael Stone tends to negotiate contracts close to the deadline, with the intent of protecting the roster’s financial flexibility. Because of this, Thompson’s contract extension will likely not be finalized until October. Will Houston be able to keep his contract under $200 million?