Amen Thompson extension will force Rockets to start making difficult decisions

The Houston Rockets have to make a decision on extending Amen Thompson, which is just the start of the team’s tough financial calls. The second apron is acting as a virtual hard cap for NBA teams. The Rockets are just $46.4 million under the tax and $68.9 million with ten players under contract for the 2027-28 season. Amen is eligible for a max deal that starts at $43.5 million. The 23-year-old looks like a future star and wants to get paid, but every dollar counts.

Fred VanVleet is entering the final year of his contract. The Rockets have to decide on his future after seeing how he returns from his torn ACL. Kevin Durant and Marcus Smart have player options for the 2027-28 season. If Thompson gets a massive raise, Houston will have to retool their roster. There are no easy decisions on who to move on from as the aprons close in.

Rockets fans will learn a lot from Thompson’s extension number. Houston has done well at avoiding overpaying Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, and Jabari Smith Jr. in their extensions, but Amen has the highest ceiling. He is already an elite defender with a developing offensive game. It will be pricey and will force the Rockets to make more difficult decisions.

Amen Thompson's extension is just the start of Rockets' spending concerns

Every contender faces spending questions in the modern era. The Rockets have done well locking in their draft picks, but they are still missing their superstar. Durant turns 38 years old next month and is not the answer long-term. Houston may try to swing a trade for an alpha, but that would put even more dollars on their books.

The futures of Durant, VanVleet, and Smart aren’t the only worries. Reed Sheppard has to earn his place with the Rockets this season. He becomes extension-eligible next summer and will likely be searching for a mid-level contract or more. That will only add to the team’s spending.

The last four NBA champions are currently dismantling their rosters to avoid the second apron. The Nuggets had to sign-and-trade Peyton Watson and are still over the second apron. Boston traded Jaylen Brown and the Knicks let Mitchell Robinson walk in free agency. The Thunder had to trade three players, including Luguentz Dort, to dodge the second apron. There just isn’t enough money to pay every player.

Even getting Thompson on a discount will create spending concerns for the Rockets. He will get $35-plus million per year, which will have Houston flirting with the tax. Even if the owner is willing to pay, Houston doesn’t want the roster-building restrictions that come with being over the second apron. Their spending has a cap, and Amen figures to eat up a large chunk of that pie.

The Houston Rockets will part ways with at least one key piece next summer. Deciding who and how much the franchise is willing to spend will be difficult decisions. No team wants to give away talent, but the second apron forces them to. The Rockets have avoided it, but the bill is coming due. It starts with extending Amen Thompson and only gets more difficult from there.

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