The Houston Rockets signed two key players to extensions this offseason, but one of those players hasn't secured a long-term future with the team yet.
Per Hoops Hype's Michael Scotto, the Rockets center Alperen Şengün is "unlikely" to be traded after his five-year, $185 million extension, but the same cannot be said for Jalen Green, who inked a three-year, $105.3 million extension over the offseason.
"Jalen Green was floated in trade rumors last season for former Brooklyn Nets swingman Mikal Bridges and has since signed a three-year $105.3 million extension," Scotto wrote. "Despite the extension, NBA executives across the league believe Green won't be off limits in future trade discussions."
Şengün, who is in his fourth season in the NBA, is coming off the best year of his career when he averaged 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. So far this year, he's putting up 18.8 points, 10.9 boards and 5.3 assists per game and was recently named the Western Conference Player of the Week.
The Rockets are second in the West after missing the postseason a year ago and Şengün has been at the forefront of their 15-6 start. At just 22 years old, he seems well on his way to being Houston's franchise player, which is enough of a reason not to trade him away.
Green, who is also in his fourth season, is putting up 18.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game this year. He had an outstanding year in his second season in the league but has shown little growth since then, which could be one of the reasons why the Rockets would be open to eventually trading him.
As Scotto noted, Houston entertained the idea of trading Green to the Nets for Mikal Bridges, though Bridges was ultimately sent to the New York Knicks and Green remained with the Rockets.
With the way Houston is playing so far this season, making a move as drastic as trading Green doesn't seem necessary, but he could be on his way out if things start to collapse later this year.
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