Rockets' disappointing playoff performances from Jalen Green spur speculation about potential trades for Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Rewritten Article:
In the epic theater of the NBA playoffs, Jalen Green served up a performance for the Houston Rockets faithful that they won't soon forget. However, as the curtain came down on Game 2, the story took an unexpected turn.
With a 109-94 victory under their belts against the Golden State Warriors, Green ignited the Rockets' postseason comeback, racking up 38 points and eight triples. It seemed that the young phenom had finally taken the reins as Houston's top scoring option in the playoffs.
But then, just as quickly as the offense clicked, it halted.
Green scored a mere seven points in Game 1, and that seemed to be a prelude of things to come. By the end of the series, his combined point tally for the ensuing six games amounted to only 55, and he failed to eclipse the 12-point mark in any game.
"That first game, the lights were bright, the court looked huge. I couldn't really get a chance to settle in, my legs were a little shaky," Green admitted after his 38-point night. "That's part of it. [But] I feel like I did a good job of answering back."
As the Rockets lost Game 3 by 11 points, and then Game 4 by just three, their momentum shift in Game 2 became nothing more than a distant memory. More importantly, Green's sudden disappearance raised increasingly alarming questions about the team's long-term prospects.
But with home-court advantage and the crowd roaring behind them, the Rockets were presented with another chance to right their wrongs. As the playoffs hung in the balance and the pressure mounted, it was once again time for Green to seize the moment.
However, as the final buzzer signaled the end of Game 7, it became clear that Green's moment had passed. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green stood victorious as the Rockets' title dreams were crushed in a 103-89 defeat.
Green's Inconsistent Play: A Tough Lesson for Houston
While the Rockets showed remarkable resilience in winning two straight elimination games and forcing a Game 7 at home, the Warriors' vast playoff experience, coupled with impressive performances from Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Buddy Hield, proved too much for the young team to overcome.
More specifically, Green's inexplicable disappearances after his stellar performance in Game 2 loomed large. Although players like Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, and Fred VanVleet played admirably at times, they couldn't lift the team past the Warriors when Green was essentially nowhere to be found.
It was evident that Green's struggles – a common theme throughout the 2024-25 season – directly contributed to the Rockets' loss to the Warriors.
"I don't think I've played good at all, for real," Green said before Game 6. "I had one game at the crib which was pretty good, but overall, I haven't really been myself. But that's okay. First time experience, just gotta get back to being aggressive and stop overthinking."
Eyes on the Future: Rockets' Next Steps
Losing in the first round, especially to bitter rivals like the Warriors, marked the end of a season that had started with so much promise for the young Rockets. After years of struggle, the team had finally returned to the postseason since 2020, and they had even risen to the 2nd seed in the Western Conference.
While the young team had boldly stepped onto the playoff stage with hopes of repeating the Thunder's 2017 run, their lack of playoff experience and inconsistency in key moments raised concerns about the team's long-term strategy.
With Green's future up in the air, Rafael Stone and the Rockets' front office will have some tough decisions to make this offseason. With the likes of Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo being tossed around in trade rumors, questions about the Rockets' commitment to their core – namely Green – will certainly surface.
Charting the Rockets' Future
For fans of the Houston Rockets, the finale of this season brought with it a mix of disappointment and a renewed sense of determination. This young team, still learning the ropes of playoff basketball, had come tantalizingly close to pulling off the unthinkable.
However, as the postseason dust settles and free agency looms, the Rockets stand at a crossroads. With Green's potential locked away in a three-year, $105 million extension, the team's future hinges on whether they choose to build on this talented core or pursue a more immediate upgrade.
Whichever path they choose, the eyes of the basketball world will be on the Rockets as they begin the arduous journey towards another title run.
Enrichment Data:- The Rockets hold the No. 9 pick in the 2025 draft, and Duke's Kon Knueppel (6-foot-7 wing) is a potential target to address their 3-point shooting needs[3].- The team holds future first-round picks from the Suns (2025, 2027, 2029), Mavericks (2029), and swap rights with the Nets (2027)[4].- There is speculation that the Rockets may be linked to star players like Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the upcoming offseason[5].- The Rockets have emphasized patience in their long-term strategy, aiming to "see this group grow up together... and become contenders"[2].
[1] Riley Cote and Kris Riopel. (2025, March 30). Top 2025 NBA Draft Prospects Basketball Insiders. Cote & Riopel | Basketball Insiders. Retrieved from https://www.basketballinsiders.com/articles/2025-nba-draft-top-50-prospects-rankings /[2] Whitney Medworth. (2025, April 1). Rockets Enter Offseason with Questions: Green's Future, Draft Picks and More. Hockey Now. Retrieved from https://hokeynow.com/houston-rockets/rockets-enter-offseason-with-questions-green-future-draft-picks-and-more /[3] Jordan Greer. (2025, April 8). Rockets Build Toward Future With 2025 Draft Picks, Uncertainty About Green's Tenure. The Ringer. Retrieved from https://www.ringer.com/nba/2025/4/8/23237668/houston-rockets-jalen-green-kevin-durant-giannis-antetokounmpo-trade-rumors-outlook-2025-nba-playoffs-finals-nba-draft-rupert-murray /[4] Whitney Medworth. (2025, April 1). Rockets Enter Offseason with Questions: Green's Future, Draft Picks and More. Hockey Now. Retrieved from https://hokeynow.com/houston-rockets/rockets-enter-offseason-with-questions-green-future-draft-picks-and-more /[5] Jordan Greer. (2025, April 8). Rockets Build Toward Future With 2025 Draft Picks, Uncertainty About Green's Tenure. The Ringer. Retrieved from https://www.ringer.com/nba/2025/4/8/23237668/houston-rockets-jalen-green-kevin-durant-giannis-antetokounmpo-trade-rumors-outlook-2025-nba-playoffs-finals-nba-draft-rupert-murray /
- The Rockets' first-round exit from the playoffs has raised questions about Jalen Green's ability to lead the team consistently, as he averaged a low point total after his stellar performance in Game 2.
- Rumors suggest the Rockets' front office may consider trading Green this offseason, given his inconsistent playoff performance and the team's long-term prospects.
- The Rockets have received criticism for their lack of sustainable play, demonstrated by Green's sudden disappearance during crucial moments, which contributed to their loss to the Warriors.
- Odds for the Rockets' championship prospects have significantly dropped, following their early playoff exit and the looming question about Green's future with the team.
- Sports analysts are closely watching the Rockets' next steps, as they determine whether to build around their current core or pursue potential trades for high-profile players like Kevin Durant or Giannis Antetokounmpo.
- The Rockets' future hinges on the decisions made by their front office this offseason, as they aim to balance the team's need for immediate improvements against the importance of developing the young core, including Jalen Green.
