Theo Pinson offers worst Amen Thompson take of all time

The Houston Rockets are rolling this season, but it's not enough for Theo Pinson. He thinks the Rockets should trade Amen Thompson for Kyrie Irving - and he'd consider trading Alperen Sengun, too.

"Bye Bye Amen"

- Theo Pinson on an Irving-to-Houston scenario

We've seen bad takes around the NBA before. It's an inevitable consequence of the widespread proliferation of media. So, don't take this lightly:

This is the worst take I've ever seen.

I'm trying to avoid hyperbole, but I truly think it is. What Pinson is suggesting is unthinkable.

One wonders if he thinks while speaking at all.

Rockets can't mortgage future for Irving

Yes, I opposed an Irving deal recently. At least it was reasonable.

To review, CBS Sports' Sam Quinn suggested Fred VanVleet, Dorian Finney-Smith, and an unprotected first for Irving. I rejected this proposal for reasons that aren't worth reiterating, but let it be said:

It was a reasonable suggestion.

It was in line with Irving's market value. He's a depreciated asset as an aging player coming off an ACL injury. Giving up a potential young cornerstone for him would be a fool's errand at this point. Pinson doesn't seem to understand that.

Luckily, Rafael Stone almost certainly does.

Theo Pinson isn't the Rockets' GM

Honestly? Former players have bad takes quite often.

Some view them as an authority. They are, in a sense. If I want to know what an NBA locker room is like, or how hard a certain player is to guard, I'll ask a former pro.

If I want an idea of a player's trade value, I'll ask just about anyone else.

Pinson is biased by his appreciation for Irving's skill. That's understandable. Irving is arguably the best ball-handler in NBA history. His penchant for hitting seemingly impossible shots is well-documented.

And sure, Thompson has struggled this year. His 0.6 Box Plus/Minus (BPM) is a far cry from the 4.1 mark he posted last year. That brings us to the point:

You don't trade a third-year player who had a 4.1 BPM as a sophomore for Kyrie Irving in 2025.

Meanwhile, the idea that you'd trade Sengun for him is too outrageous to consider. It's rare for a trade proposal to inspire this much anger, but Pinson has done it. He'll lose credibility in a lot of circles from having made these suggestions.

Fortunately, he doesn't make any decisions for the Houston Rockets.