Today Kirk Snyder was dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for former slam dunk contest champion Gerald Green, who’s new team is the Houston Rockets. Snyder and Green were said to be very unhappy regarding their amount of playing time. Snyder’s only played in 9 games this season for the Rockets; he averaged 8 points per game in 2005 with the New Orleans Hornets. Green’s making 5.1 points per game at this point this season, averaging just over 12 minutes of court time. Green made 10.4 points per game last season with the Boston Celtics, a season where he played 81 games.

“If I had another year left guaranteed, I wouldn’t be as concerned about this year,” Green said shortly before learning of the trade. “But as a free agent, and I’m not playing, it’s tough for me because I know this could be my last year. I didn’t want it to go like this.”

Green’s played rarely this season after being a part of the trade which sent Kevin Garnett to the Celtics. He can be valuable to any team in the league, but him and Snyder, as young players, can’t progress the way they should with such limited floor time. Green has 48 inch vertical leap, which can serve him well not only in slam dunk contests but in NBA games as well. Perhaps a move to Houston, where Gerald went to high school, can benefit him.

Wolves vice president Kevin McHale sung Green’s praises after the trade occured.

“I really liked the way he handled everything when he was here,” McHale said. “He was frustrated with not playing, but he practiced hard and is really a good young man. I wish him well.”