It\u2019s almost like the Houston Rockets aren\u2019t reading the room.<\/p>\n
Just days after Paul George<\/a> left the Los Angeles Clippers and Klay Thompson<\/a> left the Golden State Warriors over contract disputes, The Athletic\u2019s Kelly Iko reports that \u201cit\u2019s unlikely either (Alperen) \u015eeng\u00fcn or (Jalen) Green receive max rookie extensions \u2014 both are eligible for a five-year deal worth up to $224.2 million\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHouston has had conversations with both camps concerning an extension and will continue dialogue during the offseason,\u201d Iko adds, \u201cbut the chances of either player inking an agreement in the realm of fellow 2021 draftees Cade Cunningham ($236 million) or Scottie Barnes (potentially up to $270 million) are slim.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n To be frank, it\u2019s unsurprising that the franchise is unwilling to extend Jalen Green<\/a> a max contract extension. He\u2019s produced well in terms of sheer volume. Among the 2021 NBA Draft class, he ranks second in points per game (19.8), trailing only former No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham<\/a> (20.0 points per game). He ranks just outside the top-five in assists per game (3.3) and top-10 in rebounds per game (4.1).<\/p>\n However, his career shooting splits (.421-.337-.794) highlight his main problem: inconsistency.<\/p>\n Night to night, it\u2019s hard to tell what version of Green will come out. There have been many games where he\u2019s looked every bit like the second overall pick in the NBA Draft. Other times, he floats around the court like Casper the Friendly Ghost, making just as much of an impact.<\/p>\n But now a father of two, Green appears to have taken his game up a notch. He\u2019s still lighthearted and charismatic, bouncing around with a boyish grin. Nonetheless, Green is taking everything<\/em> a bit more seriously now. The responsibilities that he has off the court<\/a> have made him take more responsibility on it.<\/p>\n He\u2019s active and effective defensively. He\u2019s aggressive and assertive on the boards. Green even became more efficient, shooting with better balance and attacking the rim more directly. There needs to be more of that<\/em> to prove he\u2019s worthy of a max contract, but he\u2019s trending in the right direction.<\/p>\nRockets\u2019 Lack of Commitment to Key Players Could Backfire<\/h2>\n