2. The Rockets need to replace Trevor Ariza
Coming off the bench, Green played 22.7 minutes per game in the regular season for the Rockets, and 16.0 minutes per game in the playoffs. He was the primary backup to starting small forward Trevor Ariza, who averaged about 34 minutes per game in the regular season and the playoffs.
While reports that Ariza would be asking for $50-60 million on his next contract were not substantiated, the longtime veteran was able to get a very nice payday on the first day of free agency.
Houston free agent Trevor Ariza has agreed to a one-year, $15M deal with the Phoenix Suns, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2018
With Ariza gone, the Rockets have a hole to fill at small forward. Is Green a starter on a contending team at this point in his career? Probably not. Ariza’s starting job may be handed down to P.J. Tucker, a defensive stopper/hustle player who averaged 27 minutes per game last season. Tucker is a natural 3, but he also plays power forward in Houston’s small-ball lineups.
Green does not measure up to Ariza or Tucker as a defender, but he did average more points than Ariza (11.7 per game) and Tucker (6.4 per game) in fewer minutes, so he may be an upgrade on both of them offensively.
The Rockets might roll with a platoon at the 3-spot with Tucker and Green, or a 3-by-committee situation involving another player. Either way, it looks like Green should be in line for more playing time next season.