6 for 2 trading plan! The Rockets won two starters from the Nets, giving away main control + strong newcomer + 4 draft picks

The Rockets are indeed very interested in the Bucks' super forward Antetokounmpo, but unfortunately, there are also many teams who want to chase Antetokounmpo. The Rockets may not be able to come up with a lot of bargaining chips that satisfy the Bucks. Another reason is that if the Rockets want to get Antetokounmpo, they must break up their current lineup and even hollow out their existing lineup to get Antetokounmpo, the top superstar. In that case, the Rockets will obviously not be worth the money.

It is actually quite unprofitable to split the second-ranked team in the West for a superstar. As Rockets general manager Raphael Stone said, the Rockets can trade young players on the team, but if they want the Rockets to trigger the trade, the threshold should be very high. In other words, the Rockets can only complete such a deal if they can truly get superstars and don't send away too many chips.

Otherwise, the Rockets still need to maintain the continuity of the lineup, especially several young players, who should not be easily sent away by the Rockets. Then, if the Rockets can send some players in exchange for some immediate combat power, it is also a good choice for the Rockets. It is said that the Rockets may not have won superstars, but they have really strengthened their overall strength, especially to make up for the shortcomings on the offensive end, which is actually one of the trades that can be made.

NBA expert Jed Ketz simulated a trading plan. The main body of the transaction is: the Rockets will send out several first-round draft picks and second-round draft picks, and their core point guard Van Vreett and 21-year-old powerful forward Whitmore, packing these chips to the Nets in exchange for Cameron Johnson and Clarkston. The specific trading plan is: the Nets will send their star forward Cameron Johnson and starting center Clarkston to the Rockets, and the Rockets will give them to the Nets' main point guards Van Vreet and Whitmore, as well as the No. 10 pick and No. 59 pick this year, as well as the first round pick in 2027 and the second round pick from the Grizzlies in 2027. In this case, the Rockets gave away two players and four draft picks, and won Johnson and Clarkston who had the starting strength.

The expert believes that once the deal is completed, Cameron Johnson and Clarkston will immediately integrate into the Rockets' second team and even have the ability to start. Because more and more teams use a double tower lineup, it is a good choice to have Clarkston and Shin Kyung join the inside. Cameron Johnson can rotate with Amen Thompson, Dillon and Ethan, so the Rockets' forward line will be extremely strong.

Nets can get Van Vreet's expiration contract, and they can free up nearly 45 million in salary space next season. Whitmore is a young player with strong scoring ability. He is also one of the futures of the Nets and can get more opportunities to perform in the Nets.

Although the Rockets are going to give out two first-round draft picks and two second-round draft picks, the Rockets can get a forward with good scoring ability and a big man with super athletic ability. This lineup is still worth looking forward to. As for the Rockets' main point guard next season, Amen Thompson can take over, and the Rockets can continue to reuse veteran Holiday, and even give rookie Shepard more opportunities to play.