After an impressive regular season that landed them the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets were upset by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. Considering the discrepancy in the experience level between the teams and the fact that this was the first postseason for this Rockets core, it's hard to deny that this season was anything short of a massive success.
The Rockets gave the Warriors a hard-fought series despite falling behind 3-1. At the end, their halfcourt offense proved to be insufficient against the Draymond Green-led Warriors defense.
Jalen Green's Days in Houston May Be Numbered After Rockets' Loss to GSW
One of the biggest reasons for Houston's offensive struggles throughout the series was Jalen Green. The 23-year-old shooting guard continued his inconsistent and inefficient production when his team needed it the most. Aside from his 38-point outburst in Game 2, Green was a disaster, averaging 13.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists on 48.2% True Shooting, including only 29% from downtown. As a result, Green was benched in favor of Steven Adams in two-big lineups for long stretches in the series.
This puts Green firmly on thin ice as the Rockets head to a crucial offseason. Houston took a massive leap forward, going from a lottery team to a Western Conference contender in one season. Now, they have to nail their offseason decisions to take the next step, and that could potentially include moving on from Green.
Even though he is a much-improved defensive player, Green hasn't taken the necessary leap offensively. The Rockets need a more reliable shot creator and offensive engine, making Green the perfect trade candidate.
Green will make $33.3 million for the 2025-26 season. This makes his salary the ideal trade chip in a potential deal that nets the Rockets a true difference maker. While the dynamic shooting guard still has a ton of upside thanks to his athleticism and explosiveness, a fresh start may be needed for both sides.