On April 4, 2022, the NBA regular season continued, with the Houston Rockets playing at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Facing the Timberwolves, who are seventh in the West this season, the young Rockets are indeed inferior in experience and strength. In this game, the Rockets' two rookie players, Jaylen Green and Josh Christopher, both scored 30+, while Rockets coach Silas was expelled for clashing with the referee for Green due to dissatisfaction with the penalty in the game. In the end, the Houston Rockets lost 132-139 to the Minnesota Timberwolves, suffering a four-game losing streak.
Despite losing the game, most Rockets fans should be very happy today, because the Rockets' leader Jaylen Green once again cut 30+ points, which is his fourth consecutive game with 30+ points, and he is the only rookie player to do so. Even in the history of the NBA, only super scorers such as Jordan and Iverson have done this in their rookie years. Today, Jaylen Green has completely broken the "parallel goods" brand that was imposed on him by the media at the beginning of the season and has become the best scorer in this rookie.
After this game, many fans found that Green seemed to play better in Wood's absence. In fact, this season, Wood's absence and Jaylen Green's appearances have been a total of 9 games, and in these 9 games, Green can average 24.4 points per game, which is indeed much better than when Wood was there. Without Wood, Jaylen Green really let go of his hand to attack, to score, to digest the ball. Perhaps Wood was also an obstacle to Jaylen Green's growth. This season, the Rockets' record ranks first in the West, and it is obvious that they are signed by the champion. Even if you can't draw the title, you will get a high pick, and next season you will pick a talented rookie. As a result, the Rockets will need to allocate more ball rights to two top talented young players, and Wood's presence will become embarrassing. While Wood's stats look good, his ceiling is there, and it's hard to bring any breakthrough to the Rockets.
Because of this, there are probably only two paths for Wood. One is to change the way you play, cede more of the ball to young players and accompany young players. One is to be traded to other teams, while the Rockets release the ball to younger players. Judging from Wood's past style, the first is almost impossible, and it is difficult for young players to subdue Wood, so the Rockets should really consider sending Wood to other teams in the offseason, and now Wood's transaction value is still relatively good. What do you think?