Green explained why he understands the business side of the NBA and how he plans to bring his best energy to Arizona. The trade—completed on June 23, 2025—sent Houston’s veteran star Kevin Durant to the Rockets and brought Green and forward Dillon Brooks to Phoenix.
As Green looks ahead, he’s focused on building new bonds, fitting into Coach Frank Vogel’s system, and continuing the growth he showed last season.
Reflecting on Leaving Houston
Green spoke warmly about his time in Houston, describing the city as full of go‑getters and creative spirit. He admitted, “Nobody likes to get traded,” but said he truly understood why the Rockets made the move.
Green noted that pairing Kevin Durant with young talent like Alperen Şengün and Fred VanVleet could maximize their championship chances, and he respected that decision.
Recalling his final days in Houston, Green laughed about calling nearly every teammate to say his goodbyes, showing how close he had become to the locker‑room group. He credited coaches and staff for helping him develop from a rookie into a true scoring threat—he averaged 23.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game in the 2024–25 season.
Those numbers reflect his growth as a two‑way player who can help control games on both ends of the court.
While he’ll miss the fans and the community routines—like favorite local eateries and morning shoot‑arounds at the Toyota Center—Green emphasized that his Houston years taught him invaluable lessons in resilience and teamwork. Those lessons, he said, will guide him as he steps onto the floor in Phoenix.
Looking Ahead in Phoenix
Despite the sadness of leaving, Green’s tone turned optimistic as he described his new role with the Suns. He said he is “excited to get it popping with Book,” referring to All‑Star guard Devin Booker. Green believes their styles will complement each other, with his explosive scoring meeting Booker’s sharpshooting to create a dynamic backcourt.
Phoenix’s offense flourished last year, ranking in the top five for pace and points per game. Adding Green’s athleticism and Brooks’ defensive intensity could make the Suns even more versatile. Green pointed out that arriving alongside Brooks “makes the move smoother,” since they can lean on each other while adjusting to Coach Vogel’s schemes.
Beyond on‑court fit, Green stressed his desire to embrace the Arizona community. He plans to participate in local events and connect with fans, noting how much Houston’s support meant to him.
He sees this as a fresh opportunity to prove himself on a new stage, help the Suns chase a Western Conference title, and perhaps influence Arizona sports betting markets—especially in over/under and futures lines that react to his scoring potential.
As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on how quickly Green adapts and rekindles the fire he showed last season. If his interview is any indication, he’s ready to bring passion, hard work, and a champion’s mindset to Phoenix.
