Amen Thompson became the second player to sign a rookie-scale extension this offseason, following in the footsteps of Victor Wembanyama and agreeing to a five-year, $208 million contract with the Houston Rockets.
The extension includes a 10% trade kicker and locks him in as a cornerstone of the Rockets franchise.
NBA World Reacts As Amen Thompson Agrees to Bumper Extension With the Rockets
Drafted as the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft, Thompson has established himself as a key part of the Rockets roster and earned All-Defensive First Team honors during the 2024-2025 season.
NBA insider Shams Charania broke the news of Thompson’s extension on social media, writing, “Houston Rockets’ Amen Thompson has agreed to a five-year, $208 million rookie-scale contract extension with the franchise, sources tell ESPN. The new deal includes a 10% trade kicker.”
One Rockets content creator dubbed the extension a steal, writing, “Demon Stone OMG. This is a steal.”
DEMON STONEEEEEE OMGEEEEEE THIS IS A STEAL https://t.co/rVcgEdb92x
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) September 3, 2026
Another influencer called the extension the last domino of the Rockets’ offseason.
“The last domino for the Rockets offseason. Congrats to Amen Thompson,” they wrote.
However, not everyone was convinced by the Rockets’ decision to hand Thompson a five-year, $208 million extension.
“Just giving anyone 200 mil nowadays,” claimed one user.
“They just be paying anyone these days especially for a bum,” chimed in another.
They just be paying anyone these days especially for a bum https://t.co/GdGWxTZ1EB pic.twitter.com/I9ZeGl4C7A
— stephortless 💎 (@destrphforless) September 3, 2026
One user criticized Thompson’s shooting record. The 6-foot-7 guard averaged 53.4% from the field and 21.6% from beyond the arc last season.
“Paying a guard that kind of money when he can’t even shoot is insane,” they wrote.
Paying a guard that kind of money when he can’t even shoot is insane.
— ProphetX LA (@ProphetXLA) September 3, 2026
Another praised the defensive skills of Thompson and his twin brother, Ausar Thompson, noting how they’ll both pen big-money rookie-scale extensions. The two became the first brothers to be drafted into the NBA in the top 5 in the same year in 2023.
“The Thompson twins are so good that they’re both gonna get 200 million with no jumper lmao strictly off defense is insane,” they wrote.
The Thompson twins are so good that they’re both gonna get 200 million with no jumper lmao strictly off defense is insane https://t.co/vERB2qMLMa
— John (@iam_johnw) September 3, 2026
MORE: ‘The Biggest Punishment in NBA History’ – Bill Simmons Piles On As Clippers’ ‘Classic’ Misfortune Continues With Kawhi Leonard Scandal Fallout
Thompson will look to take the next steps in his development next season after signing his extension. He will be joined by Fred VanVleet, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Åžengün in the Rockets’ starting lineup as they look to improve on last season’s first-round exit.
