The Houston Rockets are planning to exercise their third-year team option on all of their first-round picks from the 2021 Draft (via Jonathan Feigen of Houston Chronicle). Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Josh Christopher and Usman Garuba were the draftees in that year by the Rockets.
The four will be slated for guaranteed salaries in the 2023-24 campaign: Green with $9.89MM, Sengun with $3.53MM, Garuba with $258MM while Christopher earning $248MM.
Green, the coveted No. 2 overall pick by Houston at that time, had a solid rookie season with the club upon averaging 17.3 points, 3.4 boards and 2.6 dimes on .426/.343/.797 shooting splits in 67 games (31.9 MPG) – earning All-Rookie First Team honors.
Sengun had a productive 9.6 points, 5.5 boards and 2.6 assists in 76 games and was just limited due to foul troubles. Nevertheless, the Turkish big man is slated to start for the team as their center this impending season.
Christopher showcased reliability as a spark plug off the bench, averaging 7.9 markers, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 44 percent shooting via 74 occasions.
Meanwhile, the Rockets was little uncertain about Garuba, but eventually picked up their option on him due to his solid offseason work and outing in the recent EuroBasket wherein he helped Spain to reach the gold medal finish. The Spanish big man holds an unparalleled defensive ability, versatility and improving court vision.
