Ime Udoka’s Houston Rockets have taken a significant leap forward in 2024 and enter NBA play today with the second-best record in the Western Conference. Having seven players averaging double-digit points this season certainly helps, but defense is actually Houston’s calling card, as the Rockets allow the third-fewest points in the NBA.

But some NBA insiders still believe the Rockets will make a blockbuster transfer that will help put together a good, young roster and make Houston a great team with a bona fide superstar. To do this, they may need to trade their leading scorer.

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NBA teams believe Jalen Green is available for trade talks

The Houston Rockets made Jalen Green the second overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, making him the most drafted G League player in league history. He has averaged 19.7 points per game, including a career-high 22.1 PPG in 2022.

Green’s scoring averages dropped to 19.6 PPG last season and 18.9 PPG this year, but that’s still good enough to lead the Rockets in scoring. However, the Rockets also drafted Reed Sheppard third overall in 2024, and he is still waiting to develop into the starting lineup.

Still, some NBA executives believe the Rockets could be enticed into trading Green to land a bona fide star.

Scotto even floated the idea that Sheppard could be a potential trade candidate, calling him an “intriguing player” who is a “high-level shooter and playmaker” that teams across the league could be interested in. Still, it’s hard to imagine the Rockets so eager to move on from their star rookie, who is just 22 games into his NBA career.

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