Houston Took a Brief Chance on Gerald Green
At the February 21, 2008 trade deadline, the Rockets acquired Gerald Green from Minnesota for wing Kirk Snyder, cash and a future second-round selection. Green was a young, athletic former first-rounder whose raw tools had not developed into a dependable role with the Timberwolves. Houston could give him a short evaluation while its veteran players chased a playoff berth. Minnesota chose a more experienced defender and another chance to draft a prospect in 2010. The pick later settled at the forty-fifth position, making this more than a simple guard exchange.
Green Played Just Four Rockets Minutes
Green appeared in one Houston regular-season game after the trade, making all three field-goal attempts and scoring six points in four minutes. The surprising shooting line should not disguise the tiny sample. The Rockets waived Green on March 8, before he could become part of their playoff rotation. His twenty-nine Minnesota games earlier in 2007-08 were completed before this trade and do not contribute to Houston's acquired value. His subsequent more successful NBA seasons with other franchises were also separate contracts, not delayed Rockets performance.
Snyder Contributed Twenty-Seven Minnesota Games
Snyder found a larger role with the Timberwolves. He appeared in twenty-seven 2007-08 regular-season games after his arrival, started eighteen and played 680 minutes. He averaged 8.4 points and 4.2 rebounds while serving as a physical perimeter player on a rebuilding roster. That contribution was useful even though he was not retained as a franchise fixture. His earlier Rockets appearances and Utah playing history remain separate from what Minnesota acquired. On its own, the increase in starts and minutes gives the Wolves a clear basketball advantage.
Minnesota Also Obtained a Real Draft Selection
The second-round pick from Houston became No. 45 in 2010 and was used on Brazilian big man Paulo Prestes. His career continued overseas rather than in the Timberwolves' NBA rotation, so he did not supply receiving-team regular-season points. The draft rights still represented a valid future asset; they should not be dismissed as nothing merely because a player did not arrive. Minnesota's on-court return came overwhelmingly from Snyder, with the choice offering an additional developmental opportunity. The Wolves therefore received more from this exchange than Houston's brief look at Green.
Final Verdict
Wolves Win. Minnesota earns B+ for Kirk Snyder's 27 games, 18 starts, 680 minutes and additional No. 45 selection eventually used on Paulo Prestes. Houston gets D+ for Gerald Green's single four-minute, six-point Rockets appearance before his March waiver. Green's later NBA career belongs to different acquisitions.