Giannis Antetokounmpo’s uncertain future has put trade season into a frenzy. The media have come up with a possibility for every team to acquire the services of the Greek. The most ideal spot for now does seem to be the Rockets, who will also have to shell out massively. Reports stated Jalen Green to be one of the first names on the chopping block. But will that actually happen? Probably not. Not just due to his performances on the pitch, but the lack of available options that can add more value than the 23-year-old.

Grasshopper Green has been their best attacking threat this season. He’s like their Giannis, so to speak. Unless Green makes an open request to leave, they wouldn’t wanna trade out someone who can consistently average 21/4.6/3.4 while shooting 42.3% from the field. But he flopped in the postseason.

93 points in 7 games against the Warriors is much below expectations. Especially if 38 of those points came in Game 2 alone. Is that enough to trade him away? Not at all – due to the uniqueness he brings to the attack.

“You take Jalen Green out, who is the threat from the outside? You think they really give a s–t about Dillon Brooks shooting three? I mean, VanVleet is your only threat, but he’s a small guard. And then you got Amen. Yeah, he’s not a shooter, yeah. So you really had no offensive threat,” said Gilbert Arena on Gil’s Arena.

So what’s the reason for his debut playoff failure? The 3x NBA All-Star seems to think there is a lack of trust from Ime Udoka. With consistent minutes like Buddy Hield gets at Golden State, he could become their spearhead for years to come.

“And the fact that you was putting them in, pulling him out, pulling him in, pulling him out- he had no rhythm of ever having a Buddy Heild type of game or having a 38 type of game. So if he missed his first shot, you was already thinking I’m about to pull him out. He was already thinking- I’m out. So he really never had a chance to really, really get into a groove.”

For a while there, Jalen Green looked certain to be on his way out. But who would replace him? According to reports, it was Devin Booker. Not a bad deal right? You’d trade a proven playoff performer and a 4x NBA All-Star. But Athletic’s analysis seems to suggest that the deal is dead in the water.

Rockets drop pursuit of Devin Booker to replace Jalen Green

Green’s younger and cheaper – that’s basically why Houston is better off keeping him. This could be the first step to believing that Ime Udoka finally trusts the 23-year-old. A star-level offensive player would be great, but Houston is reportedly taking their foot off the gas in pursuit of their long-coveted target.

“The Rockets have previously held serious interest in the Suns’ Devin Booker, but team sources said that is no longer the case. Not only do team officials still have faith in Jalen Green, who is five years younger than Booker and $66 million cheaper over the next three seasons, but also Booker’s struggles last season shifted the thinking on this front,” reported the Athletic.

Booker’s 25.4/4.1/7.1 might look good on paper. But compare it to his previous years, and it’s his worst PPG and RPG numbers since the turn of the decade. Green in contrast, has consistently been averaging 20.1/4.3/3.4 throughout his 4-year career, and led the Rockets to their first playoffs in five years. Neat, right?

Rockets fans, Jalen Green for Devin Booker ain’t happening. You can breathe your collective sighs for now. Their pocket Rocket might not have impressed in his debut playoff show, but the show won’t stop till he’s won you a championship. At least that seems to be the plan.