Grading a wild draft day trade proposal that has Rockets acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Houston Rockets are in a fight for their lives.

As of this writing, Game 6 against the Warriors is this evening. Tomorrow, I'll write the Rockets' 2024-25 obituary or an impassioned plea for extra effort in a decisive Game 7. There is no middle ground.

The tension in that locker room is surely tangible. The Rockets are focused. Nothing matters to them besides planning for the Warriors. Yet, somehow, media outlets can't stop planning their offseason.

A new trade proposal has them once again linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Rockets land superstar in new blockbuster proposal

This proposal comes via Bleacher Report. It's a doozy. If you're standing, take a seat.

(Also, stop bragging about your standing desk. We get it.)

Milwaukee Bucks receive: Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore, 2025 First Round Pick (No. 9 - PHX via HOU), 2027 First Round Pick (PHX via HOU), 2028 First Round Pick (Top 3 Protected - HOU)

Houston Rockets receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo

There it is. Bleacher Report has concocted a scheme that allows the Rockets to add Antetokounmpo without giving up either Alperen Sengun or Amen Thompson.

It almost feels too good to be true.

Rockets get tremendous value in this proposal

Spoiler alert: This trade is getting a good grade. That's because we're grading it from a Rockets perspective. Our friends at Behind the Buck Pass may have a different feeling.

The Bucks land two unproven young talents in Sheppard and Whitmore, a frustrating-but-talented player in Green, and a high-floor player with a potentially low ceiling in Smith Jr. They add three first-round picks, one of which has already been conveyed at 9th.

It feels like they could get more.

Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the NBA. He's a perennial MVP candidate. The Bucks would almost certainly demand one of Sengun or Thompson in a deal.

Let's put that aside. If the Bucks did accept this deal, it's not a slam-dunk for the Rockets. The fit between Antetokounmpo, Sengun, and Thompson is suspect. The combined shooting of that trio is, to put it politely, poor.

Yet, if the Rockets can add Antetokounmpo at this price, they probably should.

They can work out the fit later. Perhaps the Rockets can lean into the strengths they already have. This trio can overwhelm opponents with size, defense, and physicality. With strong shooting around them, it could work.

If it doesn't? The Rockets would be in a situation where they had Antetokounmpo on their roster, along with enough assets left over to make another move. Fans will have trepidation about blowing up this core, and that's understandable. Still, putting the team in that advantageous position is likely something Rafael Stone wouldn't be able to resist.

For now, let's just see how tonight goes.

Grade: A