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Rockets Riser Responds To Questions About Future With Team

Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green

Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green is in line to sign a vaunted supermax contract extension by next offseason.

However, the 2021 No. 2 pick may not get it, with the Rockets reportedly leaning against offering such a deal to him or 2021 No. 16 pick Alperen Sengun. With Green’s streakiness, Sengun’s recent injury, and both of their body’s of work, Houston has a sensible stance. Nonetheless, this has the chance to be a dicey situation. In fact, Sengun already alluding to his willingness to move on from the Rockets.

On Saturday, Green addressed his contract situation as well, opting to take the high road.

Rockets’ Jalen Green Responds To Questions About Future With Team

“Yeah, for sure,” Green says of his desire to reach a long-term extension with the Rockets, per KPRC 2 Houston’s Chancellor Johnson. “The main focus is the season ahead of me with the plans that we have and getting to the playoffs and getting as far as we can. Just building that team camaraderie of who we are. So that’s the main focus right now and everything is going to work itself out.”

Green has been hard at work this offseason, building that very camaraderie that he’s speaking of.

Last month, the 22-year-old organized a voluntary minicamp, demonstrating a newfound level of leadership. That may not be enough to secure him a max rookie contract extension. However, it does help and it won’t go unnoticed by the Rockets or any other team with interest in him.

Fine-Tuning His Game

If the work Green’s putting in to sharpen his game pays off, he could be looking at a truly special season. Training with Jamal “Dash” Lovell of Southern Coast Academy, Green is looking to improve his pace, balance, and counters. A naturally gifted scorer, these sessions should lead to a more savvy and efficient version of the California native.

Green has seemingly matured rapidly off the court. Now a father of two, his responsibilities to his children may have transformed the boyish baller. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka’s rugged coaching style has also impacted the youngster. While there reports about Green growing increasingly frustrated last season, he took the bull by the horns after the All-Star Break.

Looking like an All-Star himself, he averaged 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.9 steal per game. More importantly, he made 44.1 percent of his field goals and 36.8 percent of his 3-pointers. His best month came in March, when he tallied 27.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 steals per game on .492-.408-.767 shooting splits.

That explosion wasn’t lost on the Rockets cornerstone, who tells Johnson his team will clinch a postseason berth if he plays like that for an entire season.

Frankly, it might even be enough to get him a supermax contract, or close to it.

Quenton S Albertie

Quenton S Albertie

Quenton Albertie, a native of Ft. Hood, TX, is a credentialed media member with work featured on SLAM Magazine, Sports Illustrated, USA TODAY and other major publications. Currently residing in Atlanta, GA, Albertie’s favorite teams are the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Broncos.

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