Josh Okogie's performance could guarantee his departure from the Rockets

Josh Okogie has been a revelation for the Houston Rockets in 2025-26. At this rate, he's likely to price himself out of town.

For fans, it's premature to think about. That's fine - but rest assured, it's occured to the organization.

So far, the signing has looked brilliant. Okogie is on one of the best contracts in the NBA. Unfortunately, the contract runs up after this season:

What happens then?

Rockets may not be able to afford Okogie

In 2025-26, Okogie 9.6 points per game while shooting a blistering 53.8% from long-range. That three-point shooting is likely unsustainable, but even if Okogie drops down to 40% on this season, he'll be in line for a raise. Beyond the numbers, Okogie is an outstanding perimeter defender as well.

Ultimately, this is a role player. Okogie still doesn't create offense from scratch, and he likely never will. Still, even role players of this caliber make more than Okogie. This year, he's making makes $3 million.

If you're looking for a point of comparison, consider the Clippers' Derrick Jones Jr. He's averaging 10.8 points per game while shooting 41.7%, and he's a comparable defender.

He'll make $10 million this season.

Okogie is on track to make comparable money after this season. As a first apron team, the Rockets are unlikely to find that money.

Is Okogie's departure inevitable?

Rockets will survive without Okogie

It's always positive when your players are playing well. The Rockets may be forced to part with Okogie, but this qualifies as a rich person's problem.

That said, who knows? The Rockets could prioritize Okogie. They could use his emergence as an excuse to trade for someone else. Hypothetically, suppose they traded Dorian Finney-Smith for a guard on a one-year deal. That guard's deal would expire this summer, and potentially create some space for Okogie.

Yet, ultimately, this is probably Okogie's last year on the Rockets. It's not the end of the world.

When a team is contending, an amount of roster churn is to be expected. At times, a team needs to replace role players as they price themselves out of town.

Okogie has been good, but he's not indispensible. Fans shouldn't view him as a "53.8% shooter", either. He's hot right now, but that accuracy will normalize. The most likely scenario has the Rockets trying to find another Okogie at a comparable price point once another team offers him an outsized contract.

Time will tell whether he's a revelation for them.