Rockets Rumors: Max deal for Green, or blockbuster deal for Booker?

Houston Rockets fans, welcome to the Jalen Green revenge tour.

Did you give up on him? You're not alone. At some point, it became sensible to doubt Green's potential. The sample size of him playing poorly had simply grown too large. Green has always been capable of explosive scoring nights, but he's struggled with consistency.

Recently, it's been less of an issue.

Those are gaudy numbers. They're statistics that could be worthy of a max player.

If you buy the rumors, the front office agrees.

Rockets allegedly comfortable paying Green

At least, that's what Tim McMahon is hearing.

Some Rockets fans will rejoice. They believed in Green from day one, so they're happy to hear the front office shares their faith.

Skeptics will feel differently. They'll protest that we've seen hot stretches from Green before. Sure:

Only this is the most prolonged sample of success we've seen from him to date.

This is not Luka Doncic or Victor Wembanyama. Green is not a can't-miss max extension. The Rockets should not take this decision lightly.

Still, it's fair to say that he's officially earning his current contract. If he continues to improve, he'll be on track to earn his next (substantially larger) deal. Green is developing into the alpha scorer that Houston has needed him to be.

So why would they seek an outside hire?

Rockets linked to star scoring guard

Tim McMahon sure hears a lot of rumors.

He's heard that the Rockets love Green. He's also allegedly heard that they're huge fans of Devin Booker.

If you feel confused, take a number.

Let's try to parse it out. Surely the Rockets wouldn't pair Booker with Green. Even with Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson's combined passing acumen, that would be a redundancy. The Rockets would want a more reliable shooter alongside either Green or Booker, even if they were a less potent shot-creator.

So, McMahon's reporting feels paradoxical. It isn't. If you've been following Rafael Stone's Rockets, you've noticed that most of his plans seem to have contingencies.

The Rockets surely know they aren't out of the woods with Green. They also undoubtedly recognize his potential. The line of thinking is likely that hanging onto Green is most optimal if he maintains this pace. He'll have developed chemistry with his teammates.

That said, the Rockets must also know that this roster, as constructed, will need a dynamic shot-creating guard to succeed. if Green can't be that guy regularly, they'll have to pivot. To put a fine point on it, they're likely hoping to keep Green if he's good and acquire Booker if he isn't. Right now, it looks like the safe money is on Green:

But he won't mind if you bet against him.