The Houston Rockets' landing of Kevin Durant via trade feels like a precursor to a larger move.
Houston managed to acquire the future Hall of Famer while maintaining its treasure trove of picks without even giving up some of their premium young talent.
General manager Rafael Stone and the front office are now in an unprecedented position where they have plenty of ammo left to get another superstar to pair with KD and the frisky nucleus in place.
One popular FOX Sports analyst is even suggesting they should target a two-time MVP.
On his "What's Wright?" podcast, Nick Wright pitched the idea that Houston is in pole position to land Giannis Antetokounmpo, using former Kentucky Wildcats basketball star Reed Sheppard and Fred VanVleet.
"They still have the ability to trade for Giannis," Wright said. "You could send out Fred VanVleet, Reed Sheppard, and five first-round picks for Giannis. I think that's very useful."
The collection of first-round picks would be the foundation of a premium return for someone of Giannis' caliber, but that package would hinge on Milwaukee's brass's opinion of Sheppard.
Sheppard was a standout during his lone season with Kentucky but struggled to crack the rotation as a rookie with Houston. Ime Udoka buried the third-overall pick on a squad oozing with depth, but Sheppard's ball handling in an instant offense should've been prosperous on a defensive-minded unit.
The 21-year-old would be the face of the Bucks until they landed on some of the draft picks, but at just six-foot-two, it's unclear if he has the mold to be an electric score-first guard as a pro.
Giannis and KD would make the Rockets the new favorites in the West, forming a nightmare duo that the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder would struggle to corral.
The Rockets need another star if they want to compete, and Giannis undoubtedly fits the bill.