Gerald Green returning to Houston for one more season

Houston Rockets reward Gerald Green with a one-year deal, keeping much needed shooting to space the floor.

The Houston Rockets weren’t going to lose another shooter this offseason. According to Yahoo’s Shams Charania, the Rockets are bringing back guard Gerald Green on a one-year deal with $2.4 million.

Green appeared in 41 games for the Rockets last season, averaging 12.1 points on 36 percent shooting from three.

Earlier in the night, Houston lost starter Trevor Ariza to the Phoenix Suns for $15 million. While Green will likely continue to come off the bench for the Rockets, it’s possible he fills Houston’s small forward starting spot that Ariza leaves.

There’s no mystery to Houston’s offense. They let James Harden and Chris Paul do their thing in isolation situations and spread the floor with capable shooters. In retaining Green, they retain a capable shooter who is familiar with Houston’s system. Mike D’Antoni, who is notorious for shortening his bench during the playoffs, stuck with Green in the postseason. Keeping a guy who D’Antoni trusts in the playoffs is a bigger deal than one may think.

This was a no-brainer for both parties, especially at this salary. Houston commits very little money to a plus-shooter, allowing them to likely keep Clint Capela in the face of a potential offer sheet. Green gets to stay with a franchise he’s not only comfortable with, but a franchise who showed belief in him.

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Green was waived by Milwaukee Bucks prior to the start of the 2017-18 season. Houston signed him in the middle of the season, gave him a role he could thrive in, and it paid off on both sides.