With Kevin Durant on his way to potentially disrupt Houston’s chemistry, Jalen Green is headed to Phoenix with a chip on his shoulder, ready to prove his doubters wrong.
Acquiring Jalen Green from the Houston Rockets has been overlooked and dismissed as merely an added feature to the Phoenix Suns, a move many believe will likely end in underwhelming fashion.
However, time will tell.
The blockbuster trade that sent Kevin Durant to Houston instantly elevated the Rockets into championship contention. That was once the Suns’ reality before the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons. Now, Phoenix appears to be entering a transitional, if not full rebuilding, phase. Keeping Jalen Green and giving him a reason to believe in himself could help the second overall pick from the 2021 NBA Draft recover from last year’s playoff collapse and embrace a fresh start in the Valley.
Green’s talent and athleticism are undeniable. In Phoenix, he may finally have the opportunity to take on a more central role, something that could reignite his confidence and allow him to play with more freedom. With the Suns now focusing on youth and long-term potential, Green could be a cornerstone of their next chapter rather than just a footnote in a turbulent offseason.
But where did it all start for me and Green? It was during last year’s playoff run, those relentless Wingstop commercials hitting me in the face between Jalen Green’s turnovers and errant drives that led to blown layups.
I absolutely had my doubts. But it was his fourth year, and the Rockets were clearly exceeding expectations. He was trying to prove himself. So, do we just give up on him after four years?
All eyes are now on the Suns’ backcourt and what they plan to do with three scoring guards: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and now Jalen Green.
The Suns may lean on Booker to take over primary point guard duties, while Beal’s future in Phoenix remains uncertain as trade rumors swirl. If the team continues to reshape its identity around youth and spacing, Green could be next in line to carve out a meaningful role.
Green has a chance to show the Rockets they made a mistake. With Houston banking on Durant to push them over the top, the cracks may soon begin to show. And just maybe, like we’ve seen so many times in sports, the Suns will come out ahead by midseason, with dysfunction in Houston leaking out one headline at a time.
Man, I’m just glad all that drama is behind us…for now.
And I have to say. I am glad Durant is gone. Sorry. I don’t care how many podcasts are happy for the Rockets and their addition of Durant. They can have him.
The biggest chip on the shoulder next to Booker is Green’s. At just 23 years old, he already carries immense expectations. That’s why this moment matters. Green can lean into the underdog role, tap into his untapped ceiling, and help bring winning basketball back to Phoenix, not as a sidekick, but as a statement.
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