Basketball is funny. One day you’re the "face of the future" in Houston, and the next, you’re the wildcard piece in a seven-team blockbuster that sends a legend like Kevin Durant packing. That’s the reality for Jalen Green right now.
Honestly, if you haven’t been glued to the injury reports lately, you might have missed how weirdly quiet his start in the Valley has been. It’s not for lack of talent. The guy is a walking bucket. But the Jalen Green Phoenix Suns era has been stuck in neutral because of a hamstring that just won’t cooperate.
The Trade That Changed Everything
Let’s get the facts straight. Over the 2025 summer, the NBA world essentially melted down when Phoenix decided to move Kevin Durant to the Rockets. In return, the Suns got a haul. We're talking Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and a massive pile of draft equity—including the return of their own picks they’d previously shipped out.
It was a pivot. A huge one. The Suns went from "win at all costs with the old guard" to "build a bridge to the future around Devin Booker." Green was the crown jewel of that return. He came over with a fresh three-year, $105.3 million rookie scale extension in his pocket. He’s making roughly $33.3 million this season. That’s big-boy money, and it comes with big-boy expectations.
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Why We Haven't Seen the Real Jalen Green Yet
If you look at the box scores, you’ll see Green has only suited up for two games this season. Two. That’s it. He played 23 minutes in his debut back in early November and looked like a superstar, dropping 29 points on the Clippers. Then, the hamstring flared up again.
It’s been a "washout" of a season so far, as some analysts are calling it. He initially hurt the leg in training camp, tried to come back, and then aggravated it just seven minutes into his second game on November 8.
The Suns are currently 24-16. They’re winning without him, which is actually kind of terrifying for the rest of the league. Imagine adding a guy who averaged 21 points last year to a team that’s already eight games over .500.
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The Latest Injury Update
Coach Jordan Ott recently gave us some hope. He said Green is “there” in terms of his recovery. He’s finally back to playing 5-on-5 in practice. While he’s been ruled out for the game against the Pistons on Thursday, January 15, the word is he’ll likely debut at some point during this current six-game road trip. Maybe New York? Maybe Brooklyn?
Is the Fit Actually Good?
People love to debate this. You've got Devin Booker, who is the undisputed alpha in Phoenix. Then you bring in Green, another high-volume shooting guard who needs the ball to be effective. Does it work?
- The Scoring Punch: Green’s ability to stretch the floor (he shot nearly 43% from deep in his limited Suns minutes) takes the pressure off Booker.
- The Pace: The Suns are playing faster this year. Green in transition is basically a highlight reel waiting to happen.
- The Defense: This is the question mark. Dillon Brooks was brought in to be the "enforcer," but Green has to hold his own on the perimeter for this backcourt to survive in the playoffs.
Why the Suns Refused to Trade Him
Even with the injuries, teams are circling. Reports just surfaced that the Milwaukee Bucks reached out to see if the Suns were getting cold feet. They weren't. Phoenix reportedly shut that down immediately.
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The front office views Green as their "internal trade deadline acquisition." Why trade for a scorer when you have one of the best young guards in the league sitting on your bench waiting for his hamstrings to heal? They are betting on the Booker-Green duo being the long-term answer.
What to Watch For Next
As Green ramps back up, keep an eye on his minutes. The Suns are going to be incredibly cautious. They’ve already seen what happens when he rushes back too soon.
- Check the "Return to Play" Timeline: He’s traveling with the team. If he responds well to the 5-on-5 sessions this week, a return against the Knicks or 76ers is highly probable.
- Monitor the Starting Lineup: Coach Ott has hinted that Green will jump straight back into the starting five. This might push a guy like Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neale into a more permanent bench role.
- Watch the Salary Cap: Green has a player option for $36 million in the 2027-28 season. If he balls out in Phoenix, he’s going to opt out and look for a max. If he struggles with injuries, that contract becomes a very heavy asset to move.
The talent is undeniable. The health is the hurdle. If Jalen Green can stay on the floor, the Phoenix Suns aren't just a "good" story in the West—they're a legitimate title threat. Keep your eyes on the injury report for that official "Active" status; it’s coming sooner than you think.