As part of Monday’s press conference to wrap up the NBA’s 2024 trade deadline, Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone addressed a range of subjects related to transactions and beyond.
One of those subjects was third-year guard Jalen Green, who was occasionally referenced in rumors as a potential trade candidate in the weeks leading up to the Feb. 8 deadline.
But the Rockets ultimately chose to keep the 22-year-old, whose performance has improved in recent weeks.
So, as Green approaches a 2024 offseason in which he will be eligible for a contract extension, what do the Rockets want to see from him?
Stone addressed that at his press conference:
Jalen has been and continues to be, on paper, a great fit with us. He has a skill set that isn’t replicated on our roster.
My expectation of him and he knows this … is that the defense, which has gotten better, is still going to get a lot better. That the physicality and the efficiency are all going to get better.
He needs to take those steps. That’s extraordinarily important. He’s aware of it. We’re aware of it. And that’s the challenge, for him and for us.
The complete video of Stone’s comments is available below.
With averages of 18 points (41.1% FG), 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, Green is Houston’s second-leading scorer this season.
Here Rafael Stone talks about the development of Jalen Green
“He has a skill that isn’t really replicated on our roster”. pic.twitter.com/Erj6IMDDwI— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 13, 2024
