After the Houston Rockets defeated the Jazz, they have unknowingly won 8 consecutive victories, and their record has returned to 5 percent. The edge is straight to the Warriors, and as of the time of writing, they are only 1 win away from the Warriors. Jalen Green became the leader in the Rockets' revival, with a 10-1 record since March. In the past five games, Jalen Green has averaged 34.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists per game, and 50% of his three-point shots.
Jalen Green played out, and with him at the core, he performed better during this period than Shin Kyung. Jabari Smith Jr. served as the team's starting five, Amen Thompson entered the starting lineup, and Udoka lined up: VanVleet + Amen Thompson + Dillon Brooks + Jalen Green + Jabari Smith Jr. The winning combination of 144.3 offensive efficiency seems to be more suitable with Jalen Green as the core. After all, the previous Rockets also started with Harden.
As soon as Jalen Green's side was played, trade rumors about Shin Kyung came.
According to the trade concept of the American media "FW", the Rockets, Nets and Hawks are expected to make a three-way deal this summer. If it goes well, the Nets will get the cornerstone players for the rebuild, the Rockets will get the defensive gate, and the Hawks will have the immediate power and draft picks.
The specific trading plan is as follows:
The Rockets sent Alperen Shinjing and Jock Landale in exchange for Nicholas Claxton (sign-and-trade) and a 2027 first-round pick with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Hawks sent Dejounte Murray in exchange for Cameron Johnson, Cameron Thomas, and a first-round pick to the 2025 Phoenix Suns.
The Nets sent Cameron Johnson, Cameron Thomas, Nicholas Claxton, a 2025 first-round pick to the Suns and a 2027 first-round pick to the 76ers in exchange for Dejounte Murray, Alperen Shinjing and Jock Landale.
The Nets, on their part, have been in a state of rebuilding since the departures of Irving and Durant. So far this season, 27-45 is only 11th in the East, but 5.5 wins away from the 10th Hawks, it can be concluded that they will miss the playoffs. Before the trade deadline, the Rockets made an offer to the Nets for Jalen Green, plus multiple draft picks in exchange for Bridges, but Marks declined.
After the All-Star break, Bridges' form slumped and Nets management wavered. You know, the Nets' future draft picks were sent to the Rockets in the deal for Harden. This season's Thomas, with an average of 21.5 points per game, became the Nets' top scorer, and while he played, the Nets sold it at a good price while it was hot, which was the most rational choice.
On the Rockets' side, if you want to build a team with Jalen Green as the core and build him into the next Harden. A center like Shen Jing might as well be replaced by a top blue-collar like Claxton who can defend and eat cakes. Just like Harden with Capela, VanVleet can do Paul's job.
After the Nets Stud, Murray + Bridges + Shin Jing, all three players are under the age of 27 and have the potential to become All-Stars. This lineup, coupled with some experienced veterans, is not much of a problem for the east to enter.