Thanks for the link. Still seems low. If Amen signs at that level, it would help out a lot long-term as the Rockets could actually afford adding someone besides an MLE for 28-31.
Potential is always a factor in players coming off of rookie contracts. 5/185 is about as low an offer that Amen might take. I’m no capologist, so I’m not sure of the ramifications, but if I’m in Amen’s advisory camp. I’d say hold out for 5/200 which I think he will get. 5/185 is Suggs money, less money than Banchero, Wagner, Ingram, Quickley, Aaron Gordan, Julius Randall, Jeramie Grant and a host of others that aren’t even close to Amen in performance and potential.
I'm expecting Amen will be close to 5 for 200. Maybe a little more. Frankly, I expected more before the offseason. That said, guys not living up to a contract is not justification that Amen should get more than the contracts that didn't justify that performance. Of the contracts you listed, most were DOA.
I figure this gets done right before the extension deadline like the Sengun and Jalen deals did. I think u give Amen the Sengun contract, maybe just a touch more, with that 5th yr player option. Having Amen, Sengun, Bari and Tari locked up on cost controlled contracts greatly increases their value as trade assets and greatly increases our roster flexibility. If Stone can pull off a team friendly extension with Amen, I think together with extending the rest of the core on good contracts, it’s the best thing he’s done as GM. Still think he’s weak in all those other areas, and obviously we’ve seen him give out bad contracts, but he’s gotten the extensions right so far (with the exception of Jalen
I think this is probably right. 185 - 200m, five years with a player option. Rockets get him locked up for substantially under the max, and Amen gets a player option that will allow him to sign a massive contract early if he blows up.
One major benefit for Amen with it comes to a player option is the contract two removed from now. Let's say he signs a 5 year contract with a player option - he can opt out and extend on a four year contract when he's 28, potentially with another player option. Then, he can opt out again at 31 - 32. It sets him up nicely if he truly becomes our franchise player.
