Rockets agree to deal with draft pick Josh Christopher

The Houston Rockets are moving quickly to secure the services of their four first round draft picks. After coming to an agreement with number two pick Jalen Green, Houston turned their attention to signing number 24 pick Josh Christopher. According to Mark Berman, the sides have a verbal agreement in place.

A verbal agreement works in this scenario, as there’s essentially draft slot money on a rookie wage scale, meaning Christopher’s deal is for four years at $11.4 million total. Only the first two years of his deal are guaranteed. Christopher is guaranteed $2.2 and $2.3 million respectively for those first two seasons.

The Rockets then hold a team option for years three and four, meaning Houston could either extend him in 2024 or allow him to become a restricted free agent the following season in 2025.

This agreement means Christopher is good to go for Summer League play alongside Green, and Alperen Sengun is expected to join them as well, while Usman Garuba is still negotiating a complicated buyout with Spanish squad Real Madrid and his status for the summer is still up in the air.

Congrats, Josh. Welcome to Red Nation!