Ranking Houston Rockets contracts from bargain to nightmare

Need time to prove it

Jalen Green

Heading into the 2021 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets faced a tough decision on what to do with the second overall pick. The franchise was one of the worst teams in the association and had a blank canvas, as it pertained to roster construction. 

Cade Cunningham was the clear choice for the Detroit Pistons' top overall pick, and the Rockets were left to choose from USC center Evan Mobley or G-League Ignite guard Jalen Green, who was the top prep player in the class of 2020.

Green’s scouting report read that he was an elite athlete and a pure bucket-getter.

This assessment seemed warranted after Green averaged 17.9 points on 46.1 percent shooting, 36.5 percent from three, and 82.9 percent from the foul line with the Ignite. The Fresno native even drew comparisons to Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal before ever touching an NBA court.

And Green's averages through his first two seasons were statistically on par with Devin Booker and Anthony Edwards. 

However, this season has been a bit of a roller-coaster, as his efficiency has been in the cellar (41.2 percent from the field, 31.4 percent from three, and 80.7 percent from the line).

Green has given much more effort on the glass (three consecutive games with double-digit rebounds) and has been absolutely balling in the Rockets' last five games, averaging 23.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 48.9 percent from the field (46 of 94), 32.5 percent from three (14 of 43).

Green is on a rookie deal but he's eligible for an extension this summer, and he needs more time to prove he's ready for that, hence why he's on this list, as he's on a rookie deal still.