Given they could have upwards of $100 million to utilize next offseason, the Golden State Warriors will be keeping an incredibly close eye on rookie extensions and which young players fall through the cracks to restricted free agency.
The Warriors won't be able to pursue Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson, with the idea of a homecoming slammed shut after the East Bay native signed a massive five-year, $208 million extension as first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania on Thursday.
Rockets slam door shut on potential Amen Thompson homecoming
The former fourth overall pick has improved in each of his first three years, culminating in averaging 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.5 steals last season. Thompson has finished fifth and eighth in Defensive Player of the Year over the last two years, prompting the Rockets to give the 23-year-old over $40 million annually despite the lack of development in his outside jump-shot.
Thompson becomes the second member of his class to sign an extension behind former number one overall pick Victor Wembanyama, but both left money on the table in a further sign of the restrictive apron era.
Just in: Houston Rockets' Amen Thompson has agreed to a five-year, $208 million rookie-scale contract extension with the franchise, sources tell ESPN. The new deal includes a 10% trade kicker. pic.twitter.com/3YR9F6lYnv
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 3, 2026
Thompson is the exact type of player Golden State would have loved to pursue in restricted free agency next year, particularly if Houston had displayed hesitation in giving him this type of contract that solidifies his future.
Restricted free agency could prove an incredibly important tool for the Warriors next season, and Thompson would have offered the perfect complement of providing short-term assistance to 38-year-old franchise superstar Stephen Curry, while also being a building block for the future. He could have been an ideal replacement for Draymond Green as an elite defender who can handle the ball and be a playmaker with an underwhelming outside shot.
Warriors will still have eye on rookie extension candidates
While a line can now be put through Thompson, Golden State will undoubtedly be monitoring other rookie extension candidates around the league over the next six weeks before the season gets underway.
His twin brother Ausar, for example, is one of those players to keep an eye on, particularly as the Detroit Pistons continue to work through Jalen Duren's restricted free agency that looks no closer to a resolution this offseason. Former second overall pick Brandon Miller is another to watch as he seeks a massive extension at the Charlotte Hornets.
The Warriors will hold rookie extension negotiations themselves, with Brandin Podziemski potentially commanding upwards of $18 million annually on his next deal. Given their projected cap space and desire for flexibility, Golden State may forego a Podziemski extension this offseason and let the former 19th overall pick enter restricted free agency.
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