Grading a fresh trade proposal that has the Rockets uniting with a long-time enemy

The NBA trade deadline is rapidly approaching. Rest assured that Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone is working the phones.

Plenty of pundits are predicting a quiet deadline for the Rockets. Stone has publicly indicated that he's happy with this group. Why wouldn't he be?

Still, it behooves him to shop around. Stone needs to see what's on the market. There could be a deal available that he didn't feel he could pass up. We can only deduce that it would take a grand slam offer for him to forfeit significant assets.

A recent proposal by Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor doesn't fit the bill.

Rockets give up too much in new proposal

It's worth noting how much mileage the Rockets have gotten out of their defensive identity in 2024-25. So, there could be some logic in building on that identity. O'Connor takes that concept a bridge too far in his recent proposal.

Golden State Warriors receive: Cam Whitmore, Steven Adams, Jeff Green, 2027 First Round Pick (PHX), two second-round picks

Houston Rockets receive: Draymond Green, Lindey Waters III

Listen - I get it.

Stop for a second. Imagine Draymond Green on this Rockets team. Opponents may forfeit games out of sheer frustration. There's some appeal in this proposal.

The Rockets should pass on it anyway.

Rockets don't need to give up assets for veteran

It's not even about the fit.

Green has a reputation as a subpar shooter. His reputation is beginning to precede reality. Green is shooting 36.2% on 3.7 threes per game in 2024-25. He shot 39.5% on 2.3 attempts per game last year. He may be finding a late-career form as a reliable three-point shooter.

Yet, it's the fact that he's so far into his career that makes this proposal problematic. Green is under contract through next season. He's got a player option in 2026-27 that he's likely to exercise. At his age, his $25 million average annual salary could transform into one of the league's largest albatrosses at any moment.

Meanwhile, the Rockets don't have surplus cap space to work with. Amen Thompson is distinctly on track to earn a rookie scale max extension. Jabari Smith Jr. will have certain expectations as a recent lottery pick. Even Tari Eason will be in line for a big payday. Having Green's money on the books won't help matters when the rubber meets the road.

I'm not sure if Green, at his age and on his contract, is worth Cam Whitmore and an unprotected first even in a vacuum - although, from a pure value perspective, this is not an outrageous proposal. In the context of the Rockets' long-term plans, it would make for a poor decision.

If the Warriors call with this proposal, Stone should politely - but swiftly - decline.

Grade: C+