Amen Thompson agrees to extension with Houston, reportedly for five years, $208 million

Amen Thompson and the Houston Rockets agreed to a five-year, $208 million contract extension on Thursday, according to CBS Sports and Yahoo NBA. The deal carries an average annual value of $41.6 million and avoids restricted free agency for the 23-year-old wing.

Thompson was eligible for a 25% maximum contract worth approximately $252 million over five years, per CBS Sports. The Rockets negotiated a below-max agreement to create more salary cap flexibility. The new deal is similar in structure to Alperen Sengun's extension and represents just over 21% of the salary cap, per CBS Sports. The Rockets now have approximately 43% of their cap committed to Thompson and Sengun's contracts going forward.

Last season, Thompson averaged 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, shooting 53.7% from the field, 21.6% from three-point range, and 77.9% from the free-throw line, per CBS Sports. The free-throw mark represented a considerable step forward from his 68.4% rate in 2024-25. Thompson is among the best perimeter defenders in the league and applies constant pressure on the rim, per CBS Sports.

However, CBS Sports noted that having two non-shooters at that salary level is not an en vogue team-building archetype in today's NBA. Sengun is a career 28.1% three-point shooter. The Rockets saw the vulnerabilities of their current build in their first-round playoff loss to the Los Angeles Lakers last season. The Rockets failed to crack 100 points in four of the six games, and Thompson saw his efficiency dip as the Lakers exploited Houston's lack of shooting to wall off the rim.

Thompson's three-point shooting remained a weakness at 21.6%, a mark CBS Sports characterized as woeful. However, his free-throw improvement could indicate potential for progress from the perimeter, per CBS Sports. If Thompson can add a midrange threat comparable to Giannis Antetokounmpo's, the reporting noted, he could become a greater offensive force given how dangerous he is attacking downhill. The Rockets are betting on room for Thompson to develop and sharpen his game to justify the contract and beyond.

The deal mitigates risk on both sides, per CBS Sports. The Rockets avoid giving Thompson the full max or Rose Rule escalators while locking him long-term. Thompson avoids testing restricted free agency. Houston has now locked down much of its young core, including Sengun, Parker, and Eason, per Yahoo NBA.