No surprises! The Rockets have exercised the team options for Amen Shepard, with both players regarded as key pieces for the future.

As reported by Danielle Lerner from the Houston Chronicle on November 1st Beijing time, the Rockets have formally exercised the 2026-27 season team options for guards Amen Thompson and Reid Shepard.

Even though the Rockets made the decision on the options at the deadline, there was no doubt they would pick up both players’ options. Both are seen as core members of the team’s future, and their salaries for the 2026-27 season will remain relatively team-friendly—Thompson’s salary will be $12.26 million, while Shepard’s will be $11.11 million.

This move triggers the fourth-year option on Thompson’s contract; he was selected fourth overall in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. In the 2026 offseason, he will be eligible to negotiate a rookie extension with the team. Thompson was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in the 2024-25 season, suggesting he is likely to secure a lucrative or even max contract at extension time. Through the first four games of this season, he has averaged 33.5 minutes, contributing 14.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game.

Shepard was the third overall pick in the 2024 draft and had limited playing time during his rookie season, averaging only 12.6 minutes over 52 games. With VanVleet suffering an ACL tear, Shepard is expected to take on a bigger role this season. In the first four games, his playing time has increased to 22.5 minutes per game, averaging 10.0 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.3 rebounds, with a three-point shooting percentage of 36.4%.

This action exercises the third-year option on his contract, meaning the Rockets will still need to make another decision on his rookie deal—the 2027-28 season option worth $14.04 million must be decided by next fall.

The Rockets started the season 2-2, currently sitting 10th in the Western Conference. Their offensive rating is 125.2, ranking first in the league, while their defensive rating is 116.0, placing them 19th overall.