
Can the Rockets solve their problems by trading Jalen Green? Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.
The Houston Rockets are an exciting team with flashes of promise, capable of going on explosive runs and keeping pace with some of the league’s best—at least for stretches. But as games tighten and moments get bigger, something becomes painfully clear: they’re still missing that guy. The closer. The momentum-stopper. The player who doesn’t just light up the highlight reel but steps up when it matters most.
Much of that scrutiny falls on Jalen Green, the player Houston hoped would blossom into that superstar. He’s had ample opportunity to take the reins—plenty of minutes, plenty of touches. But the results have been mixed. Green’s athleticism is elite, and when he’s on, he looks like the future. But too often, he’s streaky, relying more on raw talent than a refined offensive game. His three-point shot still isn’t where it needs to be, and questions about his shot selection and decision-making continue to linger.
So the Rockets face a tough question: how much longer do they wait? Can Jalen Green still become the player they need, or is it time to shift focus and find someone else who can truly carry the team in crunch time?
Until they answer that, the Rockets may remain stuck in the same cycle—capable, but not complete. Dangerous, but not dependable. A team full of potential still waiting for its leader to emerge.
Be sure to watch the video below as ESPN Houston's John Granato and Lance Zierlein share their thoughts on Jalen Green, and his future with Houston.
*ChatGPT assisted.
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Jake Meyers scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch, Isaac Paredes drove in an insurance run and the Houston Astros defeated the Cleveland Guardians 5-3 in 10 innings on Saturday.
Yainer Diaz had a two-run homer in the sixth as the Astros won for the fifth time in six games.
Cleveland's José Ramírez had two hits, including a two-run homer in the seventh inning, and extended his on-base streak to a career-best 33 games.
Steven Kwan added three hits, but the Guardians lost their third straight.
Meyers was the automatic runner in the 10th. He advanced to third on Jeremy Peña's grounder to first and scored when a slider by Hunter Gaddis (0-1) on an 0-2 count was low and outside.
Paredes then drove in Jacob Melton with a base hit to right field.
Cleveland had runners on first and second with two out in the 10th but Bennett Sousa struck out Jhonkensy Noel to end the game for his first save of the season.
Josh Hader (2-0) got the win.
Houston starter Hunter Brown, who was trying to become the first pitcher in the majors to reach nine wins this season, went 5 1/3 innings and allowed one run with nine strikeouts.
Key moment
Kwan led off the seventh inning with a walk before Ramírez tied it at 3-3 when he lined Shawn Dubin's changeup into the right field stands for his team-leading 12th homer of the season.
Key stat
Peña extended his hitting streak to 13 games with an RBI infield single in the fifth inning. His career long is 14 games, which he had earlier this season.
Up next
Cleveland right-hander Tanner Bibee (4-6, 3.89 ERA) is 2-0 in day games this season. Left-hander Brandon Walter (0-0, 0.00), added to the taxi squad on Saturday, goes for Houston.