Grading a blockbuster draft day proposal that has Rockets landing Antetokounmpo

The Houston Rockets are playing a game of chicken. Will they or won't they?

Acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, that is. It's the talk of the fanbase. How could it not be? The Rockets have been prominently linked to Antetokounmpo. The speculation will continue unless the Nigerian-Greek superstar lands on a different team.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman is fanning the flames. He recently proposed a draft-day deal that would send Antetokounmpo to the Rockets.

Much to the chagrin of some Rockets fans, it's fair, too.

Rockets land Antetokounkmpo in reasonable deal

Let's break down the details before we continue.

Look. If you don't want the Rockets to move Sengun, that's fair. There's a reasonable case to be made that flipping their only young All-Star for a 30-year-old is bad business, no matter who that 30-year-old is.

The reality is that the Rockets are unlikely to land Antetokounmpo without giving up one of Sengun or Amen Thompson. There will be a robust market for the perennial MVP candidate. The Rockets will have to give up something valuable. Moreover, the trio of poor shooters can't likely co-exist. The front office seems to value Thompson above everyone else, so that leaves Sengun.

Parting with Sengun will be emotional. He's arguably been the brightest spot of the Rockets' rebuilding process.

If this is the cost of acquiring Antetokounmpo, they shouldn't hesitate to do it anyway.

Rockets can't pass on an excellent deal

Now, let's break down the details in more detail.

Leave Sengun aside for a moment. As far as outgoing players are concerned, Whitmore is clearly not a priority for this front office. Sheppard retains star potential, but his pathway to playing time in Houston is perilous. Landale is...well, Landale.

In terms of draft capital, the Rockets can comfortably afford this loss. This deal still leaves them with a 2027 first-round swap with Brooklyn, the best of the Suns' or Mavericks' 2029 pick, and most of their own future draft capital.

That's critical. Some Rockets fans will protest that acquiring Antetokounmpo is senseless if the Rockets don't have a viable co-star for him. For all of his gifts, Thompson is still a mediocre half-court scorer. Jalen Green remains, but his game is riddled with flaws.

Others will theorize that Green will improve alongside a more potent half-court threat than Alperen Sengun. That theory has its warts - Sengun does draw ample defensive attention, and Green still doesn't capitalize. Here's what's critical:

If the theory is wrong, the Rockets will have enough assets leftover to replace Green.

That's perhaps a valid criticism of this proposal. It may not be enough for the Bucks. I suspect the Rockets would have to add a couple more first-rounders to the deal to make it viable. That would change the calculus considerably.

As far as grading this deal from a Rockets' perspective goes, it's hard not to give it a perfect mark. Losing Sengun is painful, but if you can flip him for a top-5 player with enough assets leftover to continue retooling if necessary, you can't pass on that opportunity. The only question is this:

Will the Rockets do it?

Grade: A+