Rockets solved huge problem by trading one of NBA's most overrated players

The Houston Rockets tried to make it work with Jalen Green, but they couldn't. That comes as no surprise - Green was just named one of the most overrated players of the last five years.

It would be hard to argue with that point. The Rockets selected Green ahead of Evan Mobley in the 2021 NBA Draft. That was a somewhat controversial call. If we'd had the benefit of clairvoyance, it would have triggered riots outside of the Toyota Center:

The decision was an abject disaster.

Mobley is one of the best defenders in the NBA. Green is being named as the fifth-most overrated player of the last 5 years. Fansided's own Dan Favale gave him that dubious distinction in a new article for Bleacher Report. He thoroughly spells out the issues that have plagued Green throughout his career so far:

"The 23-year-old has posted a better-than-league-average clip on unassisted shot attempts just once, according to BBall Index. His shooting percentage on spot-ups has peaked in the 60th percentile—and placed in the 0th percentile this past year. His assist-to-usage ratio has never ascended past the 27th percentile. And through his tenure with the Houston Rockets, they posted a better net rating during his on-court time only once"

- Dan Favale on Jalen Green

At least it isn't Houston's problem anymore.

The Rockets solved a problem by trading Jalen Green

Let's talk about those stats a bit more.

In 2025, most guards are either lead ball-handlers or small wings. A guard can have a score-first approach, but they need to generate efficient offense for the team.

The numbers say that Green isn't a lead ball-handler. That assist-to-usage ratio is telling. Anyone who's watched the Rockets over the years is likely to tell you that Green is a limited passer. It's not that he's a ball-hog. Green is a reasonably willing passer, but he simply doesn't have the vision to routinely make plays.

So, in theory, he's a scorer. That's where his spot-up shooting numbers are problematic. Green is too slim to finish through contact as a primary source of offense. He needs to be a shooter to make his game work, and his shooting just isn't accurate enough.

To reiterate - this isn't the Rockets' problem anymore. Some readers are asking themselves this question:

Why are we talking about it?

Rockets now benefit from Jalen Green's struggles

For starters, it's simply worth noting that the Rockets were able to move Green's potentially disastrous contract, Dillon Brooks, and the 10th pick for Kevin Durant.

More than that, Green is now a Sun. The Rockets own two unprotected first-round picks from the Suns in the near future. Say it with me:

Whatever hurts the Suns helps the Rockets.

Will Green hurt the Suns? Who knows? He could conceivably turn this around. Green could shed his reputation as one of the most overrated players in the NBA:

But the Rockets should be glad he's not trying to do that on their time anymore.