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Bobby Marks: The Thompson brothers (Amen and Ausar) now have a combined $439m in on court earnings. The salary ranks first among all twins.
Shams Charania: Twins Ausar and Amen Thompson are now the first pair of brothers in NBA history to each receive a $100 million deal. They have signed for a total of $363 million this offseason.
Big Sarge Media: “It was pretty easy, said Houston Rockets GM Rafael Stone about getting the 5-year, $208 million contract extension done for G/F Amen Thompson. “He wants to be here and we want to be with him.” #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire
NBA Courtside: Draymond Green on Joe Johnson comments about Amen Thompson getting paid $200 million with no jump shot: “I do think number one, you get paid for what you’ve done. I think there’s always this idea of you get paid for what you’re going to become. No, no. In this league you get paid for what you you’ve done. Amen Thompson has put together a body of work that says if you want to keep me, this is going to be the going rate. Now, yes, he needs to improve. But on the flip side, I do get a little frustrated sometimes when people come out like, “Yo, this guy can just gain a jump shot.” Like, yo, jump shooting is a skill. Yes, you can work, work, and work to better that skill, but we’re not going to ask Steph Curry to go be Amen Thompson athletically. So, if we’re not going to do that, then let’s not always point to when it’s shooting for a guy, oh man, he need to like, yes, he do. I agree with that. But let’s also know he is elite at jumping. He’s an elite defender. Getting from point A to point B, elite.” (Via @DraymondShow)
Amen Thompson’s signing makes him the second-latest second rookie-scale extension in any draft class since 2018. It’s apparent teams are negotiating harder in rookie-scale extension talks. Not only are deals taking longer to get done, but fewer maximum extensions are being handed out. As the salary cap increases, so is the threshold for who gets a maximum contract. It’s possible Thompson would’ve been automaxed if he entered the league earlier, based on previous precedents.
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Houston Rockets: OFFICIAL: The Houston Rockets today announced they have signed guard Amen Thompson to a contract extension. In 2025-26, Thompson started all 79 games he played while averaging 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.51 steals in 37.4 minutes per game.
Zach Lowe: Sources say there is *no* escalator clause/s in Amen Thompson's extension -- first reported by @ShamsCharania -- if he were to make All-NBA or win Defensive Player of the year. Deal is below Thompson's max potential deal but still a ton of money obviously.
Marc Stein: I’m told that the Rockets — who just agreed with Amen Thompson on a monster rookie scale extension — will hold Media Day on Sept. 22. The earliest date that Houston and Dallas can practice is Sept. 23. For all other NBA teams: Media Day is Sept. 28; first practice is Sept. 29.
Shams Charania: Just in: 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.
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Shams Charania: Amen Thompson, 23, has been an ascending multi-position player for the Rockets since becoming their No. 4 overall pick in 2023. He led the NBA in minutes played last season while averaging career highs in points (18.3), assists (5.3) and steals (1.5) and ranking eighth in total steals and fourth in loose ball recoveries.
ClutchFans: Rockets GM Rafael Stone NBA Summer League interview: - Really likes rookie Bruce Thornton - the unique build, physicality, shotmaking and ability to take care of the ball. Test will be if he can translate that to the next level. - Very excited about Marcus Smart's versatility. "Feels like a Rocket so I'm glad we could finally make it happen." He says he's happy with him defending any position, including at center. - Loves the defensive switchability options the Rockets now have with Smart, Jabari, Tari and Amen. - Wants to take the minutes load off of Kevin Durant this season. - Says Reed Sheppard has "put on a ton of good weight, a bunch of muscle."
Rival teams that have contacted the Rockets recently have been informed that 23-year-old Amen Thompson is the only near untouchable on the roster, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Houston isn't actively shopping its All-Stars or other key members, sources said, but is merely expressing more of a willingness to listen than at previous junctures.
Who is the league’s most overrated player? (2026 Poll): Alperen Sengun, 12.3%. 81 votes. Alperen Sengun earned his second All-Star nod this season and helped lead the Houston Rockets to the fifth seed in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. His stats of 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game and four triple-doubles are impressive. Why all the skepticism from his peers? That’s a question that we cannot fully answer, but perhaps this comment from one of the players who voted for him sheds some light on things: “He's crying every play. He's talented, but, dude, just play hard.” While it is true that Şengün does not have a reputation as a particularly strong defender, with Amen Thompson and Tari Eason strongly defending on the perimeter, the Rockets finished the season sixth in defensive rating.
