Waiting for Gemini for 4 years without success, giving up an exchange of Antetokounmpo, the Rockets may be able to compete for the championship

In the regular season of the 2024-2025 season, the Rockets had a record of 52 wins and 30 losses, ranking second in the Western Conference. The post-Harden era finally entered the playoffs, but the team had no core, resulting in a 3-4 loss to the Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. As Gemini stars, Green and Shin Kyung have always been difficult to resonate with each other, and their influence has been left behind by Cunningham and Mobley in the same class. Four years have passed, and it’s time to make a decision. Decisively give up as a bargaining chip to seek Antetokounmpo, and the Rockets may rise again.

1. In the post-Harden era, the Rockets trained the Gemini: In January 2021, after Harden went to the Eastern Nets, the Rockets began a painful reorganization. In the 2021 draft, the Rockets chose two young talents: second-place Jaylen Green, a shooting guard who is 198cm tall; No. 16 Shin Kyung, a center who is 210.8cm tall. Although he selected talented basketball boys such as Smith in 2022, Thompson in 2023, and Shepard in 2024, in the next two years, he has always trained Green and Shin Kyung as the core for four years. This season's regular season, the Rockets' record is 52 wins and 30 losses, ranking second in the Western Conference, giving the management hope, but the disadvantage of not having an absolute core player in the playoffs was quickly targeted. The superstar does not know who is the core to deploy, and perhaps Green and Shin Kyoto do not have the ability to play key balls.

2. The Gemini chose, and it was time for the Rockets to make a choice: Green and Shin Kyung brought the Rockets to the playoffs, but stopped in the first round. Although the Rockets ranked among the top in the league in the regular season, the Rockets were not as expected in the league awards of Best Lineup, Best Defense and MVP. In a horizontal comparison, Cunningham, the No. 1 pick in the same class in 2021, has been firmly the leader of the Pistons team. After being selected as the All-Star, he was elected as the All-Star team this time; Mobley, the 2021 class of Tetras, was also selected as the All-Star team, not only elected as the Best Third Team, but also elected as the Best Defensive Player (DPOY) and Best Defensive Team. As the second place in the 2021 class, Green has no success and no honors. It is worth mentioning that Shin Kyung was selected as the Western Conference All-Star substitute, and Thompson was selected as the best defensive first team.

3. Looking for Antetokounmpo, the Rockets may rise: After the Bucks lost 1-4 to the Pacers in the first round of the playoffs, Antetokounmpo completely lost confidence and patience with the Bucks, and leaving the team is a high probability event. If the Rockets use Green as their bargaining chip (the Bucks are not interested in Shin Kyung), plus 3 young players and 5 first-round picks, they will definitely be tempted to quote Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo + Shen Jing, partnered with several Rockets young talents. This lineup is full of vitality. There is no need to choose a superstar. Just give it to Antetokounmpo, because he has the ability to handle key balls.

Antetokounmpo, born in 1994, is 210.8cm tall, ranked 15th in the first round in 2013, has 9 All-Stars, 2 MVPs, and 1 championship, and is the top 5 superstar in the league. The 30-year-old Antetokounmpo is at the peak of his career, with both offense and defense. If he can partner with Shin Kyung, the Rockets will definitely rise again and become a team with the ability to compete for the championship!