In the 2023-2024 NBA season, Rockets guard Jalen Green impressed many by winning Western Conference Player of the Month in March after leading Houston to an eleven-game winning streak. During this stretch, Green averaged 28.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game while shooting efficiently from the floor and three-point range. However, his performance in April was lackluster, raising questions about his consistency and long-term potential.
Green, who was the second overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, is eligible for a contract extension this summer. If not extended, he will earn $12.48 million in the next season before potentially entering restricted free agency in 2025. Despite showing improvement in various areas of his game, Green’s shooting remains a concern for the Rockets’ front office as they evaluate his future with the team.
Throughout the season, Green averaged 19.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 42.3% from the floor and 33.2% from long distance. These numbers are consistent with his career averages, indicating that he has yet to make significant leaps in his overall production. The inconsistent nature of his shooting, especially from three-point range, raises doubts about his ability to be a reliable scoring option for the Rockets.
Despite Green’s up-and-down performance, the Rockets had a successful season under head coach Ime Udoka, winning 41 games and showing improvement across their young core of players. Green’s standout month in March was overshadowed by his struggles in April, highlighting the need for him to show more consistency moving forward. With his fourth year on the horizon, the Rockets will be evaluating whether Green can maintain his level of play when faced with different challenges next season.
One factor that may have contributed to Green’s success in March was the absence of Alperen Sengun, who missed time with an ankle injury. This allowed Green to take on a larger playmaking role and thrive as the team’s primary scorer. The Rockets will need to determine if Green can continue to excel when Sengun returns and shares the ball-handling responsibilities. This will be a critical question for the team as they look to build on their progress from the previous season and establish a strong foundation for the future.
