68 million in 3 years! The Pelicans renewed their contract with a defensive player to provide reference for the Rockets, Ethan practices three-point shooting hard

Rockets general manager Stone wanted to accumulate talent for Houston in the 2021 draft, and he chose three rookies born in 2002 and one born in 2001. Stone's idea was that the younger he was, the more room for growth, but the final result was not as he wished.

Garuba and Christopher only played for two seasons with the Rockets. The former has left the NBA, while the latter can only give a sense of presence in the Development League.

Jaylen Green was sent away as a bargaining chip in this offseason. Fortunately, Alperen Sengon grew into an All-Star center, which also gave Stone a fig leaf.

Herbert Jones was born in 1998 and has no great potential for an older rookie, so he dropped to the second round in the 2021 draft. Jones is 2.01 meters tall, and he has a strong defense. He has been selected into the first defensive team. His characteristics are very suitable for Uduka's system.

Some Rockets fans hope that Stone can trade Jones, but the Pelicans do not seem to be willing to let anyone go at the moment. Famous reporter Shams revealed that the Pelicans and Jones completed a three-year, $68 million early renewal.

, like Jones, is a defensive forward with a height of more than 2 meters, and Ethan is also facing an early renewal. The Pelicans' contract renewal this time has also provided a reference for the Rockets.

Jones is currently 26 years old. He only played 20 games last season due to injury, averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per 32 minutes per game, shooting percentage of 43.6%, three-point shooting percentage of 30.6%, and free throw shooting percentage of 82.5%. Last season, Jones' three-point shooting was a career low, but his shooting was not bad, with a three-point shooting percentage of 41.8% from 2023 to 2024. Jones has 10 playoff experience, averaging 11.6 points, 4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.6 caps, shooting percentage of 43.5%, three-point shooting percentage of 36.1%, and free throw percentage of 85.3%.

Ethan is currently 24 years old. He played 57 regular season games last season, averaged 12 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.7 steals per 25 minutes per game, shooting percentage of 48.7%, three-point shooting percentage of 34.2%, and free throw shooting percentage of 76%. Ethan averaged 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in 19 minutes in the playoffs, shooting 47.7% from the field, shooting 36.8% from three-pointers and shooting 50% from free throws.

Jones' defense, passes and free throws are stronger than Ethan, and he is the absolute main player in the Pelicans. Ethan has better rebounding skills than Jones, and he is positioned as a substitute in the Rockets. Jones has hidden dangers of injury, and the Pelicans can lower the price. By the same token, Ethan's attendance rate is not good, so the Rockets naturally have to lower the price. Many Rockets fans believe that Ethan's contract extension should not exceed Jones.

Ethan was called Leonard by Uduka. He also repeatedly hinted that he wanted to get the position and get more playing time. But the Rockets still want to continue to train Smith Jr., who received a five-year, $122 million early contract renewal. The Rockets hoarded forwards. It can be foreseeable that Ethan can only play as a substitute in the new season and he will face very fierce competition.

Ethan wants a satisfactory contract, but the Rockets' cap space is no longer as rich as before, and it can even be said to be a little stretched. The two sides are unable to reach an agreement for the time being.

Ethan has a one-year contract of $5.68 million, and he will become a restricted free agent upon expiration. Ethan has been practicing three-point shooting hard during the offseason, and he wants to improve his shortcomings.

Currently, there is only Amen, the Rockets’ real non-sale product. Let’s see how Stone will deal with Ethan’s contract renewal.