Houston Rockets center Steven Adams. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Rockets give huge contract to veteran bench player

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Jun 14, 2025 3:22 PM ET

The Houston Rockets are paying big money to retain a player who served in a rotation role for the team last season.

The Rockets are signing center Steven Adams to a three-year, $39M contract extension, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. The new deal will ensure that Adams does not become a free agent this summer.

Just In: Houston Rockets center Steven Adams has agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract extension to stay with the franchise, sources tell ESPN. After playing a key rotation and leadership role in the Rockets' playoff run, the new deal keeps a top center out of free agency. pic.twitter.com/yWUnnQrRgh
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 14, 2025

That is a hefty $13M per season for a player who averaged 13.7 minutes per game for Houston in 2024-25. Adams was a useful piece for a young 52-30 team that started to come into its own this season, however, and the Rockets obviously value his leadership and his presence in the locker room. Plus, the team originally liked him so much that they traded for him while he was out for the season with an injury back in 2024.

In total, Adams averaged 3.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in 58 games for Houston last season.

The Rockets will want to break through in the Western Conference next season after their first-round exit this year at the hands of the Golden State Warriors. Reports suggest that they may be lining up a huge move to help in that goal. Whatever happens, Adams will clearly be a part of that future.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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