Rebuilding an NBA team is a process. Sometimes, a player that a team thought was a cornerstone loses his place. It’s not necessarily anybody’s fault. A rebuilding team stockpiles talent: sometimes, that means leaving talent behind, too.
Take the Houston Rockets. For some time, it looked like Kevin Porter Jr. was going to be a cornerstone for this team. Now, his outlook is less certain. Porter Jr. is a multipositional player who can soak up time at the 1, 2, or 3. Still, the Rockets have ample talent at each position.
Fred VanVleet and Amen Thompson will run point. Jalen Green is entrenched as the starting off-guard. Porter Jr. isn’t likely to beat out defensive wings like Dillon Brooks, Tari Eason, or Cam Whitmore at the 3. We’re not saying that the Rockets have to move Porter Jr. this summer, but they should consider it. Could they send him to the Milwaukee Bucks?
The Trade Proposal
Houston Rockets Receive: F/C Bobby Portis, G/F Grayson Allen, 2028 First-Round Pick (Top 5 Protected – MIL)
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: G/F Kevin Porter Jr.
This wouldn’t be the first time a team cut ties with Porter Jr. With that said, the Rockets would be getting a lot more than they gave up for him. The Cleveland Cavaliers sent Porter Jr. to the Rockets in exchange for a second-round pick. Why?
Well, Porter Jr. is a little complicated. He’s got a bit of a concerning past. It was a locker room incident that motivated the Cavaliers to move him. Meanwhile, Porter Jr. has had similar incidents in Houston. Is Porter Jr. worth the trouble?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Kevin Porter Jr, Houston Rockets & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Absolutely. This is a very talented young player. Moreover, Porter Jr. has shown signs of maturing in Houston. With that in mind, should the Rockets really move on from him?
Why The Houston Rockets Do The Deal
Frankly, it depends on how Porter Jr. feels about his new place in this team’s pecking order. It doesn’t feel likely that there will be a starting job for him. With that said, Porter Jr. could be a lethal sixth man. if he’s willing to carry the second unit, the Rockets may want to hold onto him.
Let’s suppose that he isn’t. In that event, the Rockets may be forced to move him. Meanwhile, the Rockets allegedly had a strong interest in an entirely different Bucks big man. Apparently, they nearly signed Brook Lopez this summer. Porris can supply a semblance of the floor spacing and defense that Lopez does, and as a combo big, he can play alongside Alperen Sengun as well.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Kevin Porter Jr, Houston Rockets & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Meanwhile, Allen may be a more appropriate backup for Jalen Green as a 3-and-D guard. Yet, the Rockets are primarily doing this for the unprotected first-round pick. This is a team that could stand to improve their collection of draft capital. Should the Bucks help them improve their collection?
Why The Milwaukee Bucks Do The Deal
The Bucks are getting the best player in this deal. Leave any personal feelings that you may have about Porter Jr. aside – he is the best player in this deal. Porter Jr. can create his own shot, and he’s an elite catch-and-shoot player as well.
That last skill is especially valuable for the Bucks. At times, Jrue Holiday’s fit alongside Giannis Antetokoumnpo has been questionable. Holiday is an inconsistent shooter. Porter Jr. won’t replace Holiday, but lineups featuring him alongside the Buicks’ star forward could be more effective offensively.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Kevin Porter Jr, Houston Rockets & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Finally, the presence of Pat Connaughton makes Allen expendable – they have very similar games. Adding Porter Jr. will give the Bucks a more dynamic offense, and they shouldn’t be afraid to move a first-round pick in order to add him. After all, this team stopped rebuilding a long time ago.
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