3 Houston Rockets Who Won't Be Back Next Season

The Houston Rockets were not ready for prime time when it came to a Game 7 vs. the Golden State Warriors. But the team made huge strides this season, going from 41 wins and an 11th place finish in 2023-24 to a 52-win campaign, good for the 2-seed in the Western Conference.

To make that next step to true championship contenders, however, they will need to make changes. Their goal is to bring in a superstar, and a couple have already been floated as possible targets.

But along the way, several players on the current roster will be shipped out. So let's have a look at three Rockets who will (or should) be jettisoned out of town, and will not be back next season.

Jalen Green

The Rockets are in the market for a big-time scorer to take them to the next level. Back in 2021, when he was selected with the 2nd overall pick, Green was expected to be that guy. Yes, he's topped the 20-point-per-game mark twice in his four seasons, but he was a shrinking violet in his first playoff series, scoring just 13.3 per game, shooting 29.5% from deep.

But the biggest reason that Green could be launched by the Rockets out of town is his upcoming three-year, $105,333,333 rookie extension. The $33 million he's set to earn annually can be a huge piece to use in a trade to land a true superstar.

Jeff Green

Now onto another shade of Green: After 17 seasons in the NBA, a championship and a long and useful career, it doesn't seem like Jeff Green has a place anymore on this Rockets team. He was barely in the rotation during the 32 games he did play this season, averaging just 12 minutes and 5.4 points a night, and then was a complete afterthought in the playoffs, getting on the floor for just six minutes in total across three games. He can no longer take up a roster spot for a team that will have championship aspirations.

Jock Landale

With a non-guaranteed contract, the Rockets hold the option of declining Landale's $8 million for next year, as long as they do so by June 29th. With the healthy return of Steven Adams this season, Landale is nothing more than a third-string center with Houston, something that is not worth $8M.