Polarizing Rockets guard earns stunning Kobe Bryant comparison amid trade rumors

The Houston Rockets crashed out of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on Sunday night after suffering a 103-89 loss vs. the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of their first-round series. Jalen Green's struggles were on full display throughout the series, but he still drew a Kobe Bryant comparison after the team's season-ending defeat.

How on earth is that possible? Let's take a closer look. After averaging 21 points per game during the regular season, Green was a shell of himself against Golden State. In the seven-game series, Green averaged just 13.3 points per game while shooting an abysmal 37.2% from the field.

Bryant is largely regarded as one of the most clutch players in NBA history, so comparing him to Green seems ludicrous. However, Bryant's first taste of the postseason didn't go well either, as he averaged just 8.2 points per game on 38.2% shooting over nine games with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1997 NBA Playoffs.

Of course, Bryant would go on to become one of the game's greatest players. Calls for Green to get traded have come flying in from everywhere in the wake of the Rockets collapse, but Lou Williams opted to preach patience, referencing Bryant's struggles with the Lakers as the reason why Houston shouldn't cut bait just yet.

"Imagine if the Lakers turned their back on Kobe when he played how he played against the Utah Jazz when he was such a young player," Williams said on "Run It Back." "There's not a lot of Jalen Green's laying around."

Green's three-year, $105.3 million contract extension is set to kick in next season, meaning he will quickly become a much more expensive player for Houston.

With the team rumored to be interested in swinging a blockbuster trade this offseason, Green could ultimately end up becoming a trade chip for the Rockets in the wake of his horrific playoff debut.