Newly drafted first-round rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore each signed their initial NBA contracts with the Houston Rockets on Monday, according to the league’s transaction wire.
The deals were largely a formality, and they weren’t required to be completed prior to participating in 2023 summer league play, which begins for the Rockets on Thursday in Las Vegas. However, in the event of any potential injury, the added peace of mind can’t hurt.
The signings also mean that both players cannot be traded for 30 days, though obviously that wasn’t expected in the first place.
Based on slot value and maximum annual raises, which is the norm for most rookie contracts around the league, Thompson is expected to make approximately $8.8 million, $9.2 million, $9.7 million, and $12.3 million in the 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27 seasons, respectively. The last two years are team options.
Meanwhile, Whitmore is slated to make $3.2 million, $3.3 million, $3.5 million, and $5.4 million over the next four years, respectively. Both Thompson and Whitmore’s deals are based on their draft slots at No. 4 and No. 20 respectively, in the 2023 first round.
