According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Houston Rockets will bring back veteran forward Jeff Green for the 2024-25 season. Per Scotto, the Rockets have fully guaranteed Green’s $9.6 million contract for next season.
The Houston Rockets have fully guaranteed the $9.6 million salary of forward Jeff Green, league sources told @hoopshype. Green, who played 78 games last season and turns 38 in August, remains a key rotational contributor for the Rockets and a strong veteran locker room presence. pic.twitter.com/VwcYSSkHVZ
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 12, 2024
Last season, Green re-joined Houston, where he played 18 games during the 2019-20 season, as a free agent. In his return to Houston, the 16-year veteran appeared in 78 games, his most since the 2017-18 season. Additionally, he averaged 6.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game while shooting 45.6% from the field.
Houston Rockets Fully Guaranteeing Contract for Veteran Forward
Rockets Members Praise Jeff Green
Throughout the regular season, Green publicly received praise from head coach Ime Udoka. In January, Udoka spoke about Green’s work ethic and reliability.
“It is impressive. He’s extra athletic, still. He’s very motivated. Takes care of his body and takes pride in his craft. I think it’s a testament to his work everyday and kind of what he rubs off on the team but it’s kinda crazy when you think about it. Still playing at that level. He’s very reliable for us and we’re asking him to alot of the times when guys are in foul trouble or guarding all over the place.”
Furthermore, teammate Cam Whitmore echoed Udoka’s sentiments and said “it’s great to have [Green] on the team.”
“He definitely knows his spots. He definitely knows how to guard certain guys. He knows the guys. He’s been in the league for a minute now. It’s great to have him on the team. He makes sure to correct the young guys. That’s a great attribute.”
Additionally, GM Rafael Stone said the team was “lucky” to sign the Denver Nuggets champion, along with Aaron Holiday, in free agency last summer.
“Both of those guys are guys that we’ve liked for a long time,” Stone said via Kelly Iko of The Athletic. “We were lucky that they were free agents at a time when we could play in free agency. And so yeah, they’ve done well and I’m happy for that. Jeff’s a super veteran player, but Aaron’s been around for a while, too. So they both have come in and done exactly what we thought they would do. And we thought that with our current mix, they fit well. And it’s been nice that through a quarter season that’s been the way it’s played out.”
The Last Word on Jeff Green
Green has made a career out of being a solid and reliable player. This upcoming season will be Green’s final one under contract. And the soon-to-be 38-year-old may not sign another contract next summer. At this stage in his career, it seems that any year could be his last in the NBA. However, it is clear he still has some gas left in the tank.
