The Houston Rockets have been rebuilding for the past couple of seasons and saw a big jump during the 2024-25 season. They just went 52-30, leading them to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Despite getting bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Golden State Warriors, the Rockets need to make some changes this offseason.
Ahead of last season, Green and Houston agreed to a three-year, $106 million extension, with a player option in the third year. During the 2024-25 campaign, he averaged 21 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.
They were expecting that production in the postseason, but instead, Green was massively underwhelming against the Warriors. In that series, he averaged 13.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. Green had four games with fewer than 10 points.
The Rockets are set to be aggressive this offseason and have moved on from Green in this projected trade.
In this scenario, Houston trades Green to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for guard Anfernee Simons. He's a fearless slasher with a nice touch from the perimeter to space the floor. Simons has averaged more than 20 points in two of his last three seasons in Portland. He's heading into the final year of his four-year, $100 million deal.
He's set to make $27 million in the 2025-26 season, and that's a reasonable number. Especially with Green on the books at $33 million or higher through the 2027-28 season.
Simons is the type of swap that Rocket fans should be open to. Despite Green developing in Houston over the last four seasons, he was a big-time no-show in the postseason.
Meanwhile, Cade Cunningham, who went No. 1 overall in the 2021 NBA draft, was a 2025 NBA All-Star and an All-NBA Third-Team selection this season. Evan Mobley went third overall in the 2021 NBA draft. He also has a 2025 All-Star, All-NBA Second Team selection, and NBA Defensive Player of the Year already on his resume.
At the same time, Green has yet to secure an All-Star nod and shrank in his biggest moment. The Rockets should consider moving off the 23-year-old, and Simons would be a great addition.