Grade the trade: Rockets add championship big man in swap with Bucks

Evaluating the deal

The latest trade rumor regarding the Houston Rockets has the franchise shipping Kevin Porter Jr. away to the Milwaukee Bucks, in exchange for Bobby Portis, Grayson Allen, and a future first-round pick (2028 top-five protected pick).

It's important to first acknowledge that the source of this rumor, Hiptoro, also previously "reported" that a deal between the Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers involving Porter was essentially a sure thing.

And they were wrong.

They are going to be wrong in this case also. But let's have fun and pretend that this deal actually comes into fruition. 

Why the Bucks would benefit from adding KPJ

The Bucks could stand to get younger after being the oldest team in the league entering the 2022-23 season (29.5-years-old). Adding the 23-year-old Porter helps with that

In addition, the Bucks need another shot creator and Porter would be able to add playmaking as a reserve point guard or shooting guard. In fact, adding him to the shooting guard spot could even allow him to close games with Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Brook Lopez.

This would be tantalizing, based on Porter's proficiency on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, as he'd be surrounded by three players who averaged five assists per contest last season. The Bucks would get smaller as a result, but let's face it: their front line more than makes up for it, as Lopez and Antetokounmpo are both legitimate 7-footers.

And they, of all teams, know how talented Porter is, as he dropped 50 points and 11 assists on their heads in his first season with the Rockets.

Let's look at the Rockets' side of the deal.