The Rockets‘ season ended on Sunday night when they lost a deciding Game 7 at home against the battle-tested Warriors. As Jonathan M. Alexander of The Houston Chronicle writes, aside from a 38-point outburst in Game 2, shooting guard Jalen Green struggled mightily in his first playoff series, scoring between seven and 12 points in the other six games and shooting 37.5% or below in each of those contests.
Green, who led Houston in scoring (21.0 points per game on .423/.354/.813 shooting) during the regular season, averaged just 13.3 PPG during the postseason, with shooting splits (.372/.295/.667) well below his season-long rates. The 23-year-old finished with eight points on 3-of-8 shooting in Game 7.
“Besides the (second) home game, s–t,” Green said when asked to assess his performance in the series. “Straight s–t. I got to be better. First playoffs is no excuse. Yeah, I’ve got to be better.”
According to Alexander, Warriors defensive stalwart Draymond Green said slowing down Jalen Green was a primary focus for Golden State.
“We did a good job on him to start the series and I think that rattled his confidence a little bit,” said Draymond Green. “This isn’t something he’s been apart of before. He’s good young player. He’ll learn from his mistakes, but you’ve got to give the guys credit who were guarding him. … Anybody who was on him, he was a focal point. We know what they are capable of when he’s scoring and so we really wanted to take him out of this series.”
Houston signed Jalen Green to a three-year, $105MM rookie scale extension last fall. That deal, which also includes a 10% trade kicker, will begin in 2025/26. Given the way the offense — and Green — struggled, Alexander anticipates “non-stop” questions this offseason about how Houston can improve on that end of the court, as well as Green’s future with the team.
Here’s more on the Rockets:
- While the end result certainly wasn’t what he wanted, second-year swingman Amen Thompson continued his strong play to conclude the series after struggling in the first few games, per Greg Rahan of The Houston Chronicle. Thompson, who chipped in nine rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block, led the team in scoring (24 points) and was the only Rocket to shoot over 50% from the field (9-of-16) in Game 7. As Rahan writes, Thompson attended Stephen Curry‘s basketball camp growing up in California, and the four-time champion was effusive in his praise of the 22-year-old. “I talked to him right after the game,” Curry said. “I kind of saw him develop in front of everyone’s eyes. I know people (who) watched the Rockets play night in and night out over the last year have seen the potential and raw athleticism, the hunger and he’s a dawg. He showed all seven games and he’s going to be a problem, for sure. He’s going to try to develop his game, especially offensively, but defensively, he’s a freak athlete and I think he loves the challenge and loves to be in the fight. He was tough all series and kind of crazy that the old man got it done.”
- Adding shooting should be a top priority for the Rockets this summer, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic. With several promising young players and a surplus of draft assets, the Rockets will be one of the main teams to follow on the trade market, and they will be “closely” evaluating all their options on that front, Iko reports. Citing team sources, Iko also says Houston is “hopeful” about its chances of having long-term relationships with Tari Eason and Jabari Smith, who are both eligible for rookie scale extensions this summer.
- Greg Rajan and Matt Young of The Houston Chronicle pass along what the Rockets had to say after their season ended, while Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle focuses on what the team learned during the ’24/25 campaign.
- Bobby Marks of ESPN and Mark Deeks of HoopsHype recently previewed Houston’s offseason. Determining what to do with Fred VanVleet‘s team option, possible extensions for Eason and Smith, and re-signing backup center Steven Adams are among the decisions the front office will face this summer.
- In case you missed it, VanVleet and the Rockets have mutual interest in continuing their relationship, though what his contract will look like remains a question mark.
Htown went from 22 to 41 to 52 W
lots to be proud of
Lost to 4 time champs, its a learning exp
Next yr’s a chance to take another big step fwd
@chandlerbing
True, but they need to make good moves in the offseason to improve and not waste their window (like OKC did getting Hartenstein and Caruso).
If they stand pat they won’t get a lot better.
Waste their window like OKC lol
Exactly. Just gotta get rid of loser Dillion Brooks, who will never win a title in this league, and Houston becomes a real-deal contender.
I respect Amen, Sungun, Smith, Eason, Green and Steven Adams, still getting it done. They played the Warriors tougher than anyone, got every cheap whistle while beating the crap out of Steph while GSW got no whistles ever, and ran it to 7 games. From a team who’s mostly youngsters, gotta love this finish this season. The West was too close to call from positions 2-8 this year.
All credit to Steph, Dray and Jimmy though, GSW finishes at least a top 4 team in the West, as only I predicted on here.
Man you gotta get over the over the top Dillon Brooks hate. He’s a good player and helped this team grow over the last two years. Just floors me as a GS fan you can legit hate Brooks to that level while actively rooting for Draymond. Give me a break.
@CamFrost the fact you think they are the same type of player proves you don’t know ball. Skill issue on your end lil broski! Draymond is 10000x better than Brooks at every aspect of basketball.
Dillon Brooks has been a net negative to the Rockets, this is fact. Look at their season now. That’s because Brooks is playing top 5 minutes a game instead of 5 mins a game like his skillset and IQ allows him in this league.
You give ME a break – YOU are the one replying to ME – I wasn’t asking your opinion!
Well when you put something ridiculous on the internet for anyone to see, anyone can respond “lil broski.” You’re emotionally attached to this Dillon Brooks hate and it clouds your ability to see how he’s very obviously a valuable player. Draymond is a very good player and always has been. I never compared their skill. You HATE Brooks for what he does while at the exact same time can watch Draymond get multiple techs and flagrant fouls in a 7 game series. Absolutely delusional mentality.
@cam Davey is just a troll. It loves to stir crap. It believes that Curry winning rings somehow makes him a winner and everyone else losers.
Rockets fans wanted to trade Jalen Green/fillers for Giannis
No
It starts with Sengun and Thompson
Amen Thompson is def going to be a star … if he ever develops a consistent jumper or 3pt shot, look out.
No kidding – at his age (22) he’s probably the best young sf in the league. Plenty of time to work on shooting, he should be one of maybe 2 Rockets that are untouchable.
I think ones like Cam may be gone over the off season. Jalen perhaps as well can’t have up and down scoring. But who would fit. Reed I am still not sure on as a starter or bench with team.
Will Aaron Holiday still be with team. Jabari and Tari Rockets want to keep I take it. But Rockets did accomplish a lot. Yes went out in first round. If they had played better in some of the games like Game 7. But mostly Game 1 in Houston, and perhaps Game 4 in SF. They lost that one but 3 points. Then came on in games 5/6 to bring it back home for Game 7 but did not play like they wanted it. Could not stop Hield. Curry maybe in first half. Draymond still gets away with his vengence. If it was Brooks they would have tossed him out no matter. Not sure where he stands for next season.
How bout some of the others that played but probably not a lot: Landale, Jeff Green, and some of the others that really do not see much if any time with team unless a blow out either of losing or winning. Williams for one and some others. Yes I know need these players. Are they getting work in the G-League and come up on occasion. Even Tate has not played a lot since days we had that one coach who had a career of being an assistant to the one who is now Indiana Pacers head coach. Think was Dallas Mavericks coach and he was with them. I like Udoka as a coach and his staff. But I do hope we can sign Adams. I like him and Alpi playing together as they did this season. But what will the main rotation be next season.
Do we sign FVV to his 44.5 million deal or does he opt out and we sign for more years but less money. FVV is not getting younger either but still has something with this team. I just hope they do not blow this team up because we do have a nice young core and a Vet Core. Do we find another Vet to add. Or two.
Amen Thompson is a swing man? What position is that?
What’s he swinging on?
They need outside shooting bad. Their 2 best players range can be measured in inches rather than feet (Amen/Sengun)
Green Jabari Lawndale Whitmore for KD math works
Throw in a couple picks you got a stew baby (Rip CW)
@ Cap
I’m not sure I’d trade Jabari for KD, and the Suns won’t want green so there would probably have to be a 3rd team involved.
Yes 3rd team most likely in any regards so both teams take less money and Hou wouldn’t have to be capped at apron 1 ~ Green can def go anywhere, I had Lawndale moving to 3rd team in scenario above but Hou has a ton of routes to chose
Cam is 20 and Ime barely played him in the playoffs. I wouldn’t trade him, too much upside.
But Green should go, no matter what it takes to offload him. FVV is overpaid but is one of the few vets. I’d try to keep Adams but he’s going to have a lot of interest.
Eason, JSJ, and Whitmore are the chips they can use to make a big addition if they wanted to… Booker? Ja?
Trade Green allow Reed to workout by putting him in the starting lineup so they a have a deep throat. Keep Fred then recruit the best FA to fit their team..
KD probably comes at a decent price. I see two options tor Houston. This young core is solid. Not sure if I want to break it up. They do need shooting. Well they have Shepperd a great shooter. And can get another this draft. I mean just think about that tor a min. This team is young, talented, and deep. If Rockets go for a star. It should only be Giannis. And I don’t give up this yrs pick.
Stay the course and draft a shooter. Or go all out for Giannis ………
Green, Smith, Whitmore, Holiday, two future picks.
Somethings will depend on where they end up in the lottery.
IF they land Ace Bailey or Derik Queen – you can feel better about moving Jabari Smith instead of paying him a year from now and kicking the can on paying playeres. I think you could get a FRP from someone like the Sixers if they landed at 5 or 6 and not looking to draft Queen or Maluach themselves.
I would think Jalen Green has clearly been the odd-man out for bringing in a legitimate star player. Reed Sheppard can be added to that deal – buts already imo. Landale and Holiday for salary.
IF I was ranking their trade targets – Giannis, Booker, J Brown as sell the farm candidates.
Durant, AD (yea Nico is a clown), Jrue, LaMelo all might be available but come with risk (age, contract length, injury).
I’d only be willing to discuss trades around Booker with the Suns if I was the Rockets. The Suns have zero leverage in that discussion. They don’t need to trade Booker, but the Rockets can just hold onto the Suns picks as well.
Some ideas
1. Jalen Green, Jock Landale, Cam Whitmore pick 9 and and protected future first for Trae Young and pick 22
Trae Thompson Eason Jabari Sengun with Brooks sixth man. Let FVV walk which frees up money for Eason, Jabari and Adams.
You solve you need for outside shooting with Trae who gives you 25 per game with 10 assist.
His poor defence is kinda hidden by Houston’s really solid wing defenders.
ATL adds Green, and Whitmore plus the 9th overall pick to pair with the 13th.
Not a bad rebuild of talent, Dyson Green Rishacher Jalen Okungwu Whitmore and two lottery picks and a future first.
2. Jalen Green and the 9th overall pick for LaMelo Ball
Ball like Trae helps their shooting problem. He’s also a really good playmaker and could take over the point guard spot from Fred.
Talking about Thompsons ceiling, LaMelo if he puts it all together he’s also got a massive ceiling.
For Charlotte, they have the third best odds of getting the first overall pick which means they get 1 of Cooper, Harper or Ace who I have as my top 3. One of those guys plus Green and Miller as your core would be massive for the Hornets. On top of that you get the 9th overall pick aswell.
3. Reed Shepard, Cam Whitmore and the 9th overall pick for Coby White and pick 45
Coby White replaces Fred and you keep Green giving yourselves another upgrade at point guard, help solving the shooting issue and gives you options with the cap.
For Chicago a no brainer for them in a rebuild. 2 good young players and a top 10 pick.
4. Fred Van Vleet, Cam Whitmore and the 9th overall pick for Lauri Markeneen and Keyonte George
Grab Lauri Markeneen as your future forward and third option. He helps solve some of your shooting problems, he’s also another really good provider of offence without needing many touches. Keyonte George looks done as the Jazz future point guard so grab him as a cheap Fred replacement and give him a second chance.
For Utah, It gets them out of the Lauri contract with Fred on an expiring and able to provide a good vet for Collier.
This year they have the best odds at first overall pick so to add to that they’d also get Whitmore and the 9th overall pick. Which isn’t bad for a rebuilding side