If you haven’t checked the NBA standings lately, you might be in for a massive shock when you search for what team does Jalen Green play for. The high-flying guard who spent years as the face of the Houston Rockets' rebuild isn't in Texas anymore.
Honestly, it’s been a wild ride.
As of early 2026, Jalen Green plays for the Phoenix Suns. He's no longer rocking the Rockets' red and white. Instead, he’s part of a revamped Phoenix roster that looks nothing like the "Big Three" era of just a couple of years ago.
The transition happened during a chaotic 2025 offseason. Most people missed it because it was part of a gargantuan blockbuster deal that sent Kevin Durant back to the Houston Rockets. It was one of those "NBA Twitter-breaking" moments that felt like a fever dream.
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The Trade That Changed Everything
The deal was basically a "win-now" swap for both sides, though it looked very different on paper. Houston wanted a superstar to lead their young core, and Phoenix needed to get younger and more flexible while building around Devin Booker.
Green was the centerpiece going to the desert.
The trade went down in June 2025. Along with Green, the Suns picked up defensive specialist Dillon Brooks and a haul of draft assets. Houston, meanwhile, gambled on the sunset years of KD. It’s the kind of move that either wins you a ring or gets a GM fired in three years. There's really no middle ground there.
Jalen Green's Current Situation in Phoenix
His first year in Phoenix has been... well, complicated. If you're looking for his stats and wondering why they seem low, it’s because he’s been battling a stubborn right hamstring strain for most of the 2025-2026 season.
He's only appeared in a handful of games so far.
In his debut against the Clippers back in November, he looked like a superstar, dropping 29 points and making it look easy. But the hamstring flared up again just seven minutes into his second game. Since then, it's been a cycle of "re-evaluation" and "making progress."
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Right now, Suns coach Jordan Ott has him doing 5-on-5 drills. The word is that he’s "inching closer," but Phoenix is playing it incredibly safe. They’re sitting at 24-16 without him, thanks to Devin Booker playing like an MVP and the emergence of guys like Collin Gillespie.
Recent Rumors and the Trade Deadline
With the 2026 trade deadline approaching in February, teams have been calling Phoenix to see if Green is available. The Milwaukee Bucks reportedly checked in recently.
The Suns' response? A hard no.
The front office views Green as an "in-house trade deadline acquisition." Basically, they think adding a healthy Jalen Green to their current winning rotation is better than any trade they could actually pull off. He’s 23 years old, and despite the injuries, his ceiling is still somewhere in the stratosphere.
Understanding the Contract
Before the trade happened, Green actually signed a pretty unique extension with Houston. It was a three-year, $105.3 million rookie scale extension.
That contract traveled with him to Phoenix.
- 2025-26 Salary: ~$33.3 million
- 2026-27 Salary: ~$36 million
- 2027-28 Salary: ~$36 million (Player Option)
The player option is the key. It gives Green the chance to hit unrestricted free agency at age 25. If he balls out in Phoenix next to Booker, he’s going to be looking at a quarter-billion-dollar contract in a few years.
Why the Rockets Moved On
You might wonder why Houston would give up on a guy who was averaging 21 points a night. It wasn't really about Green's talent. It was about the fit with Alperen Sengun.
The "Sengun vs. Green" debate dominated Houston sports radio for two years. Could they play together? Would the offense ever be efficient with both on the floor?
When the opportunity to grab Kevin Durant surfaced, the Rockets decided they’d seen enough. They chose the proven legendary scoring of Durant over the "maybe he’ll be an All-Star" potential of Green. It’s a move that has Houston fans divided to this day, especially with Green showing flashes of being a 25-point-per-game scorer when he’s healthy.
What to Expect Next
If you’re a fan or a fantasy manager, keep an eye on the Suns' upcoming road trip. Coach Ott hinted that Green might suit up during the tail end of the trip, possibly against the Knicks or Nets.
When he does return, he won't be the primary ball-handler. That’s Booker’s job. Green is going to be asked to be an elite secondary creator—slashing to the rim, hitting catch-and-shoot threes, and using his speed in transition.
It’s a different role than he had in Houston, where he often had to force the issue. In Phoenix, he can actually let the game come to him.
Actionable Insights for Fans
To stay updated on Jalen Green’s status and his performance with the Suns, you should:
- Monitor the Suns' injury reports specifically for "right hamstring" updates, as this has been a recurring issue since training camp.
- Watch the dynamic between Green and Devin Booker. If they click, Phoenix becomes a legitimate threat to win the Western Conference.
- Track his shooting efficiency. In Houston, he struggled with consistency. If his FG% stays above 45% in Phoenix's system, he’s officially taken the "leap."
Jalen Green is in a "prove it" year despite already having the big contract. He needs to show he can contribute to winning basketball on a playoff-caliber team. Phoenix is betting the house that he can.