Grading a solid trade proposal that sends De'Aaron Fox to Rockets

The Houston Rockets need a lead guard.

Some fans don't want to hear that. They're still investing hope in Jalen Green. That type of loyalty is commendable.

It also isn't for everyone.

Green is in his fourth year, and he's still wildly inconsistent - and inefficient. If you're holding your stock, that's fair, but it shouldn't surprise you that the price is dropping:

Most people are looking to sell.

So, the Rockets are frequently linked to star guards in trade rumors. The Kings' De'Aaron Fox is one of the most frequently named potential Rockets.

A new proposal from Bleacher Report has them landing the star guard at a reasonable price point.

Rockets land star guard in new proposal

Let's dig into the details.

Sacramento Kings receive: Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore, Jeff Green, Jae'Sean Tate, Jock Landale, 2027 First Round Pick (Swap), 2028 First Round Pick, 2030 First Round Pick, 2031 First Round Pick (Swap)

Houston Rockets receive: De'Aaron Fox, Trey Lyles, Doug McDermott

Most trade proposals involving the Rockets are outlandish. Sure, let's send Tari Eason out for a lottery-protected first. If we're lucky, that will yield a player that's half as good as Eason!

This one is different. It is entirely reasonable. It's a good trade.

This feeling is foreign.

It even has the Rockets bringing in McDermott. He's one of the best shooters in the NBA. His porous defense may keep him out of Ime Udoka's regular rotation, but if he was even willing to work him into situational lineups, it could be a boon for Houston's offense.

Is this the perfect trade?

Rockets should look to replace Green

All roads lead back to Jalen Green.

He is not a good fit alongside De'Aaron Fox. Their combined three-point shooting is not tenable. These are both guards who need the ball to be effective and should look to penetrate to the paint before shooting.

So, it would be better to involve Green in a Fox deal. Unfortunately, the poison pill provision in his contract makes it difficult to move him until the offseason. That provision means that the Rockets' incoming salary in any deal is less than the outgoing salary. It also means that the Rockets can't aggregate players - they have to receive as many as they send out.

That makes a deal difficult - but not impossible. Rockets X amateur cap expert David Weiner put together an intriguing proposal that would be legal as of this year's deadline.

Don't get hung up on the Pistons' inclusion. Plenty of teams could be willing to get in on this action for an expiring deal and a second-rounder. They're largely involved in order to facilitate the deal and help the Rockets get around that poison pill.

Weiner should probably be sending the Kings one more first in his proposal. The Kings may view Green as a negative trade asset. At best, they'd treat him as neutral, but Sheppard, two firsts and a neutral asset feels like an underwhelming return for Fox.

In summary, moving Green is both desirable and possible if the Rockets are getting Fox. Bleacher Report missed that mark in their recent proposal. Still, they suggested a fair trade that has both teams receiving market value.

Grade: B+