This X user outlined an incredible potential situation for the Rockets

The Houston Rockets share a rich, intertwined history with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Is it a rivalry? It's hard to say. If we're not counting the SuperSonics, these two teams have only met thrice in the playoffs. Instead, much of the interaction between these two clubs has come off the court.

Each team has fleeced the other in monumental trades. The Rockets struck the first blow. The Thunder infamously sent James Harden to the Rockets in exchange for Kevin Martin and a first-round pick that became Steven Adams.

With all due respect to a current Rocket, that's a pretty good deal for Houston.

The Thunder would get their revenge. The Rockets sent them Chris Paul and considerable draft capital for Russell Westbrook. The Thunder arguably received the best player in the deal, and the Rockets still owe them a pair of first-round picks for their troubles.

One X user speculates that the next one may not be as painful as we thought.

X user proposes beautiful situation for Rockets

Let's give Sam Presti his flowers. He's a fantastic general manager.

The Rockets aren't the only team with outstanding debts to his Thunder. The Clippers owe them first-round picks in 2026 and 2027. That's a consequence of the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Paul George swap. Shockingly, that may be the worst deal covered in this piece.

It's also the reason why the Rockets could preserve their draft spot next summer.

You won't hear any complaints from Rockets fans if this is how it pans out.

Is it feasible?

Rockets could keep pick under the right circumstances

It depends.

If the Rockets have a disaster of a season and send the Thunder a high lottery pick, they will accept it. Presti will only go to certain lengths to decimate the Clippers. Those lengths will not include sabotaging his own squad.

Still, this does feel realistic. If the Rockets' pick lands 15th, and the Clippers' pick lands 21st, who's to say Presti will keep Houston's pick? The margins at that point in the draft are narrow. The Thunder could see a player they like at 21st, and an opportunity to weaken the Clippers at the same time.

It's an intriguing aspect of the NBA's new economy. Picks are owed with swap rights and protections around the league. It's a chess game for the NBA's general managers. Presti and Rafael Stone are a pair of chess masters:

No matter how this shakes out, they'll be planning their next moves against each other.