RealGM

Lots of more interesting things to talk about, but had a thought I decided to write down.

Rockets trade #9

OKC trades #15, #25, 2026 HOU 1st top 4 prot

Rockets get some additional trade flexibility to make moves after the draft

Thunder consolidate a bit

Think houston need to consolidate too though

Godaddycurse wrote:Think houston need to consolidate too though

Yep. This would make more sense if they weren’t basically on a similar trajectory to OKC at the moment.

The limited window where I think this could make sense is Houston doesn’t love anyone at 9 but they want the flexibility to trade after that pick is sunk. But there are likely better versions for Houston of that or they just straight consolidate.

I think that is the type of deal that the Rockets are looking for:
Trade the Suns pick for multiple picks.

I would do this.

OKC & Brooklyn are perfect trade partners for the #9 pick.

Edit: If the Suns pick moves up into the top 4, then of course, this trade does not work.

Godaddycurse wrote:Think houston need to consolidate too though

Houston does not currently have a first in 2026, and they cannot trade the Suns pick without getting a 2025 or 2026 first back.

They do this to get rid of the Stepien Rule restrictions for future trades.

Kiss of Death wrote:

Godaddycurse wrote:Think houston need to consolidate too though

Houston does not currently have a first in 2026, and they cannot trade the Suns pick without getting a 2025 or 2026 first back.

They do this to get rid of the Stepien Rule restrictions for future trades.

you can just draft the rookie and trade it afterwards

Godaddycurse wrote:

Kiss of Death wrote:

Godaddycurse wrote:Think houston need to consolidate too though

Houston does not currently have a first in 2026, and they cannot trade the Suns pick without getting a 2025 or 2026 first back.

They do this to get rid of the Stepien Rule restrictions for future trades.

you can just draft the rookie and trade it afterwards

They could do that or they could trade 1 pick for 3 and package those picks for something later.

I think if the pick stays where it is, they trade the pick regardless.
If it goes top 4, I think they listen to offers but ultimately, they make the pick.

I could see it depending on who they like.

I could also see them flip it to Portland for some Milwaukee picks with another trade in mind down the line.

I think Houston could get KD for 15 and Houston’s 2026 first, while keeping 25’s cheap contract for the deep bench..

Or whatever lower value star you want Houston to trade for.

LarsV8 wrote:I could see it depending on who they like.

I could also see them flip it to Portland for some Milwaukee picks with another trade in mind down the line.

I really would hope Portland wouldnt be interested in that.

Those MIL picks and swaps are going to be juicy as IMO Giannis is a goner by then.

Yeah I don't hate this at all but I'd need a move lined up for one of those picks this year, not sure about bringing in two rookies again. Rockets pick will likely not be good but opening up stepian would be nice, it's long bugged me they got themselves into a stepian restriction in the BKN trade for PHX picks