Latest Devin Booker rumors suggest Rockets are in the right frame of mind

Fans of the Houston Rockets were sorely disappointed by Jalen Green in this year's NBA playoffs.

Much ink has been spilled over his failures. Green averaged just 13.3 points per game against the Warriors. Almost inexplicably, that came with a 38-point performance. Outside of Game 2, Green was mostly invisible throughout this series. If he was visible, it was for the wrong reasons.

So, Rockets fans are calling for his head. They'd ship Green to the first suitor for a bag of peanut shells. It's an understandable feeling, but it's one the front office doesn't seem to share.

They seem to have more faith in Green.

Rockets not eager to move on from Green

This is no surprise to SpaceCityScoop readers. Rafael Stone already told us that we should expect continuity heading into the 2025-26 season.

Still, front offices love to put out smoke screens once their team is done playing basketball. It still seems feasible that the Rockets could upgrade Green with a similar but more effective shot creator.

Devin Booker fits that description. He's been a popular trade target for the Rockets since they acquired the Suns' picks. Still, according to The Athletic's Kelly Iko, Booker isn't in the plans (subscription required).

"The Rockets have previously held serious interest in the Suns' Devin Booker, but team sources said that is no longer the case."

-Kelly Iko, The Athletic

Granted, this could be one of the aforementioned smoke screens. Stone could be spreading false rumors to manipulate the trade market.

Rockets fans should be hoping he's being sincere.

Rockets should hold out for a better target than Booker

It wouldn't be possible to compare Booker's 2024-25 playoff stats to Green's. He wasn't invited to the dance. Booker couldn't drag the Suns to the postseason, even with Kevin Durant by his side.

His regular season left much to be desired. Booker did average 25.6 points and 7.1 assists per game, but his 58.9 True Shooting % (TS%) left much to be desired. Booker shot a meager 33.2 from long range.

Yes, Booker is considerably better than Green. He's also substantially older. Attaching three unprotected first-rounders to Green just to bring in an older version that doesn't sufficiently move the needle would be bad business.

More broadly, Booker isn't a big enough fish. The Rockets have one of the best collections of assets in the league. Why blow those assets on a player who may never sniff another All-NBA team? Green still has plenty of time to improve. If he can't, the Rockets still have plenty of time to replace him.

The Rockets shouldn't act hastily. Time is on their side. If Green continues to disappoint, the Rockets have the goods to replace him with someone better than Booker.

Even if that means exposing their fans to more disappointment.