Rockets fans still can't believe the biggest win of the Kevin Durant trade

Most pundits agree that acquiring Kevin Durant was a smart move by the Houston Rockets. Some would say that just moving off of Jalen Green's contract was a beneficial move.

"I think just getting off of the Jalen Green deal...is good enough."

-Alex Schlecht, The Athletic

It's a harsh thing to say. Sometimes, the truth hurts. Green had been a problematic player for the Rockets for his entire tenure with the team.

When the Rockets selected him with the second overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, hopes were high. Green was supposed to replace James Harden as the Rockets' alpha guard. He was supposed to be the face of the next generation of Rockets basketball.

It didn't go that way.

Green's draft classmate, Alperen Sengun, clearly eclipsed him despite being the 16th pick. Amen Thompson had usurped Green as well. The Rockets were wise to move Green:

They were probably lucky to be able to move his contract

Rockets shed bad money in Green deal

Green is making an average of $35.1 million a year for the next two seasons. Then, he has a player option.

Those are both troubling realities for the Suns. Green has not provided $35.1 million worth of production at any juncture. On a per production basis, he's overpaid by at least $15 million a year. That's going to make it difficult for the Suns to effectively manage their cap so that they're paying players properly for the next two years.

The player option is a problem as well. It's going to put the Suns in an awkward position in 2027-28. If Green accepts his option, they've got another year with his deal on the books. If he declines it - the far more likely scenario - they'll have to either let him walk, or retain him on another albatross contract.

Thank God these aren't the Rockets' problems anymore.

Rockets have cleaner books moving forward

After all, Houston has its own financial complications to consider.

Durant is going to need a lofty extension in two seasons. Amen Thompson will likely be the first Rockets draftee to earn a max rookie extension. Tari Eason still needs to be paid. Green's deal loomed like a shadow over all these considerations. The Rockets' cap situation could get complicated, but at least they don't project to have bad contracts anymore.

Who knows? Green could make this article look stupid. He may explode in the Valley and justify his price point. Until that happens, the Rockets should be happy to have gotten off his deal.

Even if acquiring Durant was the main objective.