標籤: backfire

The Houston Rockets are suffering a first round exit in the NBA playoffs, extending their streak to six seasons without a semifinal appearance. While the Rockets’ young core didn’t take a step forward this season, it appears as if one of them is going to be rewarded with a big deal.

According to Sam Amick and William Guillory of The Athletic, the Rockets are expected to sign Amen Thompson to a contract extension this offseason that will be worth more than $250 million over five years.

Thompson, age 23, earned NBA All-Defensive First Team honors last season. Selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, many around the league have been high on the 6-foot-7 wing for his length and excellent defensive ability. In each of the last two seasons, he has been viewed as a player who could make the leap to superstardom and Houston has been unwilling to include him in any trade proposal to bring in an established superstar.

When Thompson signs a five-year contract extension worth more than $250 million, his average annual salary of more than $50 million will make him one of the six highest-paid shooting guards in the NBA. He will be paid similar to Donovan Mitchell and slightly ahead of Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards ($48.924 million average annual value).

Importantly, according to The Athletic, Rockets ownership is giving the front office clearance to spend more on the roster next season and it looks to keep the young core together. However, that could be a problem for Houston once the contract extension takes effect.

Why the Rockets might regret Amen Thompson contract extension?

Entering the offseason, the Rockets payroll for the 2026-27 season is already $184.925 million, according to Basketball Reference. Alperen Sengun is now making more than $35 million per year, Jabari Smith Jr.’s extension also kicks in next season and nearly doubles his salary to $23.643 million. In addition to adding more than $50 million for Thompson, the Rockets will commit $200 million to key players who have not gone to the Western Conference Semifinals together.

There were also some real signs of the limitations of Thompson’s game this season. While he averaged 19.2 points per game in the first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, this came in 44 minutes per game and 14.3 shot attempts per contest.

In his third NBA season, Thompson did not consistently demonstrate the ability to be a primary scorer who could get his shot and take over games during the playoffs. However, a $250 million contract extension is paying him to perform at that level.

All the money owed on the current core, in addition to the team’s desires to bring in another star this summer, could complicate the ability to retain Terry Eason. Even if Eason returns, it will be one of the most expensive rosters in the NBA and has no postseason success to show for it.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Hansa Rostock may regret the transfer drama they made over Ryan Naderi after Danny Roehl’s departure to Rangers has been a blow to them.

at least that’s how it is Could be anything from BILD to latest. They cover Division 3 today and how ‘promotion alarm bells’ are now ringing. The newspaper reports that Hansa has now lost four games without a win. These are two draws and two defeats. His promotion target is now faltering.

Naderi is yet to win a game since joining Rangers in a €6m deal in the January transfer window. Although their strikers are performing well, it is not enough. Last weekend they suffered a 1-0 defeat despite dominating possession and creating chances.

‘Painful pattern’ since Rangers transfer

A ‘painful pattern’ is also emerging. Rostock simply doesn’t win ‘top matches’. So far, 33 of their 40 points have come against teams below seventh place. Now players are sounding the alarm, including midfield engine Marco Schuster.

He said, “It’s always the same: When the competition gives us a slight head start, we often fail to deliver the final blow.”

“If we want to achieve our big goals, we definitely need to take it up a notch. We just need to be more hungry, especially in the penalty area.”

Naderi could help with that particular problem. Instead, he is enjoying life at his new club in Scotland. And for Hansa there is no one else to blame except him.

Sport Witness covered his long move to Rangers at the end of the transfer and the drama surrounding it. Much of this was due to Hansa and their sporting directors.

Rangers tried to help

For example, Rangers initially offered Naderi to stay at the German club until the end of the season.

They were more than happy to delay his arrival at Ibrox, help him boost their team and then make a move in the summer. Naderi agreed to such a deal as well.

However, the Germans pushed hard and eventually sold Rangers at the end of the window on a permanent basis.

Now, as a result, they sit six points adrift of the automatic promotion places without a win since the 22-year-old left.