This Friday was the deadline for teams to pick up team options for rookie contracts.
Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle announced that the Houston Rockets have exercised the team options for both
third-year guard Amen Thompson and second-year guard Reed Shepard.
Both players are key pieces to the Rockets’ rotation, and by exercising their option, they will remain with Houston barring any transactions until the conclusion of the 2026-2027 NBA season. In the 2026-2027 NBA season, Sheppard, the third overall pick in 2024, will make $11.1 million, while Thompson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft, will make $12.3 million in his option year. Although Houston picked up Thompson’s team option, he will still be looking for a long-term extension in the offseason. This is similar to how last October the Rockets picked up Jabari Smith Jr.‘s team option before signing him to an extension that offseason,
Due to the absence of point guard Fred VanVleet, Thompson and Sheppard took on larger roles this season. With an average of 33.5 minutes, 14.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2.5 turnovers, Thompson has started every game for Houston at point guard. Sheppard is averaging 22.5 minutes, 10 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 turnovers. The Rockets are ranked 19th in the NBA for defensive rating (116), and they have the greatest offensive rating (125.2) after four games.
Althoguh Reed had a rocky rookie season where he was bouncing between the NBA and G League, this move shows that Houston is committed and views both Thompson and Sheppard as parts of their rotation and young core.
You can catch Thompson and Sheppard, along with the rest of the Rockets, on Space City Home Network or NBA League Pass Saturday at 7:00 as they travel to take on the Boston Celtics.
