All-Star Says Rockets Just Paid $208M for a Player Who Can't Make Jump Shots

Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson is the focus of criticism after securing a five-year, $208 million contract extension, despite shooting only 21.6% from three-point range last season. NBA All-Star Joe Johnson, speaking on the Nightcap podcast, argued that a player being paid that amount “needs” a jump shot in today’s game, directly challenging the value of paying for production without outside shooting. The article cites his 2025 drop from 27.5% in 2024-25 and notes a low 13.8% mark in his rookie season. It also points to coaching and mechanics—free-throw success (77.9%) and his 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game last year—as signals he could improve.