As we inch closer to the NBA Draft, we will constantly hear more about reported trades and less and less about the likelihood of an actual trade being managed. Theres a lot of reports, innuendo, smoke screens and things lost in the translation in the game of telephone between front offices, representatives, gamers, cursory figures and press reporters.
All that being said, more and more reports suggest the Houston Rockets absolutely love Cade Cunningham and are wanting to either be able to protect a trade with the Detroit Pistons for the No. 1 pick or that the Pistons do not have Cade one on their draft board and he falls to No. 2.
There is less reporting on what Detroit really plans on doing, and what reports exist are in dispute. Some say Detroit GM Troy Weaver indicated quickly after winning the lottery game, Cade was the man. Others suggest infatuations with Jalen Green and Evan Mobley, and that the gap in between all three players is quite little. That latter point would make a trade possible, however there is no reporting to show how seriously Detroit is taking a look at the possibility of moving its choice.
Lets get back to the initial report. Kevin OConnor of The Ringer was a guest on The Bill Simmons podcast and had this to state about Cade and Houston:
” Im hearing the very same thing as you. That the Rockets like Cade, that they would wish to try and get him– whether its trading up, or hoping that Detroit hands down him at No. 1.
Echoing those declarations is fresh intel from Shams Charania of The Athletic:
The Rockets have actually been aggressive in their pursuit of Detroits No. 1 choice in the 2021 NBA Draft and have also talked about guard Eric Gordon in trade scenarios, sources stated.
I take that to indicate Gordon is a different factor to consider as the Rockets aim to make relocations and would not remain in any method tied to conversations for the No. 1 pick.
The more time has actually gone on, the more it seems like while the possibilities Detroit trades the top choice is already vanishingly small, the only practical trade partner is Houston at No. 2. If its Mobley or Green, they will attempt to trade with Houston and if not simply take Mobley or Green No. 1.
Once again, the possibilities of that are little. The chances Cunningham is not No. 1 on their board is also little, though possible. Hes certainly not a best prospect, and there are other incredibly gifted people in this draft.
He certainly appears like a Troy Weaver type gamer as a possible two-way threat with size, strength, a tremendous work principles and a wingspan that makes Weavers heart flutter.
Taking a step back, though, if he manages to have Mobley or Green higher on his board we have to think of what an offer might appear like. Cunningham does have possible imperfections, to put it kindly, or red flags if youre being less charitable– absence of elite athleticism, turnover problems, poor shooting inside the arc.
If he rips through terabytes of movie, background reviews and great old-fashioned searching and says Mobley is my guy, what would an offer appear like?
Our friends at The Athletic just recently ran through simply that exercise. Kelly Iko, the Rockets beat writer, connected to his colleagues to get some possible trade plans for Houstons No. 2 choice, and Detroits James L. Edwards III was included.
Edwards pitched a plan of Detroits No. 1 for Houstons No. 2, No. 23, a Houston first-round choice in 2023 and the Rockets offer the Pistons back the first-rounder owed as part of the Isaiah Stewart trade. That would be 3 extra first-round choices to drop one spot.
Iko had this to say:

That latter point would make a trade possible, however there is no reporting to show how seriously Detroit is looking at the possibility of moving its pick.
The more time has gone on, the more it seems like while the opportunities Detroit trades the top pick is currently vanishingly small, the only practical trade partner is Houston at No. 2. If it is Cade, the pick will be Cade. If its Mobley or Green, they will try to trade with Houston and if not simply take Mobley or Green No. 1.
The offer in itself is a lot– three firsts and returning an extra first– however the very first choice in any draft ought to never come inexpensive.

Deal.
For beginners, lets simply reiterate that as much as the Rockets like Green, they enjoy Cunningham. Theres no question how terribly Houston desired deputy commissioner Mark Tatum to turn their team card last during the lottery reveal a couple of weeks back.
Preparing Cunningham permits Silas to keep his Wall-Porter backcourt together and add a savvy, sizable wing playmaker. From then, he can get cool with lineup combinations, having all three at the exact same time, staggering Cunningham with among Porter/Wall and even throwing Cunningham out alone in areas, most likely flanked by Gordon, Danuel House and so on. This purchases you time for Porter to continue to find out the ropes, develop chemistry with Cunningham and enable a smooth death of the torch whenever Houston and Wall go their different methods.
The Rockets likewise still get to keep their 24th pick, which they can use on a shooter or an athletic big with advantage. The handle itself is a lot– three firsts and returning an additional first– but the first choice in any draft need to never come inexpensive. One crucial thing to think about is what Edwards stated, this just takes place if Houstons front workplace deems Cunningham that much better than the field. If the answer is yes, you shoot. You sit back and be content taking Green, Mobley or Suggs if no.

Would Weaver (and Stone) buy that reasoning? That is the million-dollar question. And one that will finally, the good news is get the answer on NBA Draft night on July 29.