PHOENIX – One of the premier new Phoenix Suns players is 23-year-old guard Jalen Green. As a part of the Kevin Durant trade, plenty of pressure will be placed on the young slasher’s shoulders, especially with the criticisms he faces on a daily basis. Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale named his NBA all-overpaid team, with Green making the list at the second guard position.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The young guard will make $33 million next year, and then $36 million the subsequent years following. Green edged out other candidates like Sacramento Kings Zach Lavine and Portland Trail Blazers Jrue Holiday because of his lack of offensive or defensive identity, according to Favale.
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) during the second quarter of game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Favale on why new Suns guard makes the list:
“Both [Green]’s on- and off-ball offense come with lackluster efficiency. He has posted a better-than-league-average clip on unassisted shot attempts just once, according to BBall Index. His shooting percentage on spot-ups has peaked in the 60th percentile—and placed in the 0th percentile this past year.”
Mar 2, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) reacts in front of Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Favale ends his assessment by giving Green the benefit of the doubt because of his youth. However, Green never having an assist-to-usage ratio about the 27th percentile in the league is concerning. The former 2nd overall pick is a scorer-first slashing guard that has struggled to shoot efficiently since entering the NBA.
He has never shot league average from any shooting mark, from field goal and three-point percentage. In his first few years with the Houston Rockets, Green was one of the only skilled backcourt player on the roster. However, as the roster improved during the course of his four-year stay with Houston, his playstyle didn’t develop.
Mar 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) dribbles the ball as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) defends during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
His $33 million contract takes up around 21% of the cap, and with a Suns roster that has little to no cap flexibility, Green needs to be stellar. The franchise will hope being under the tutelage of Devin Booker will help in Green’s development and get him out of these type of overpaid conversations.
Former Suns Kevin Durant was frustrated with usage in Phoenix, says former teammate
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
