Inside The Rockets

Rockets Can Play 'Waiting Game' with Jalen Green

Jalen Green is about to enter his final year under contract with the Houston Rockets.

Jeremy Brener

Feb 29, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) dunks against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 29, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) dunks against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports / joe camporeale-usa today sports
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Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green has just one year remaining on his rookie contract before he becomes a restricted free agent next summer.

Green's restricted free agency will be tough to navigate, but the Rockets are the ones with leverage when it comes to negotiations.

"Green wasn't named an All-Star like [Toronto Raptors forward Scottie] Barnes, and his team didn't make the playoffs like [Orlando Magic forward Franz] Wagner's and [Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan] Mobley's. But he's a potent scorer who contributed to the Rockets' resurgence, winning 41 games after an awful 22-win 2022-23 campaign," Bleacher Report contributor Eric Pincus writes. "If there's a team to play the waiting game to restricted free agency, it's the Rockets. Green may not have a lucrative offer sheet waiting for him next July. While he can point to the extensions signed by Nos. 1, 3 and 4, Houston may come in a little lower."

It remains to be seen what Green's market will look like, and it will likely be determined on how well he performs in the upcoming season. If he takes another step in the right direction, Green could warrant a maximum contract. If not, he could still earn a highly-touted deal, but the Rockets will always have the final say on whether or not he should be part of the team's future plans.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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