The NBA's latest spoiled child: another multimillionaire rookie
Rockets guard Amen Thompson, a 23-year-old rookie, agrees to a five-year, $208 million extension
Money keeps falling from the sky in the NBA. Amen Thompson has become the new rookie multimillionaire after agreeing to a five-year, $208 million extension with the Houston Rockets , according to Shams Charania on ESPN . The contract also includes a 10% trade bonus clause and will keep the shooting guard under contract with Houston through 2032 .
At 23 years old , Thompson has justified such a gamble with a meteoric rise since he was selected with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 Draft. Last season he posted career highs in points (18.3), assists (5.3) and steals (1.5) , led the NBA in minutes played, and finished among the League leaders in steals and loose balls recovered.
Averages only within reach of the biggest stars
His impact goes far beyond a specific position. Fred VanVleet's absence led him to play mainly at point guard , but Thompson is capable of filling any of the perimeter positions and even playing in the paint. Last season, he was also one of nine players who averaged at least 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists , sharing the list with stars such as Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum .
This is how the Rockets lock up their entire young core after also extending Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason , while Kevin Durant brings the experience of a superstar. Thompson is also the second player from the 2023 class to sign a rookie extension, after Victor Wembanyama . And the shower of millions does not seem to be over: Brandon Miller, Ausar Thompson, Keyonte George, Cason Wallace, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Brandin Podziemski appear among the candidates to soon seal their own golden contracts.
