Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
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Giannis Antetokounmpo's decision on his future with the Milwaukee Bucks may come next week.
While Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has yet to officially request a trade, teams around the league expect the “Greek Freak” to eventually ask out, especially given Damian Lillard’s Achilles injury.
In light of the speculation, ESPN’s Chris Herring proposed a deal that would send Antetokounmpo to the Houston Rockets, a team that finished with the No. 2 seed in the difficult Western Conference in 2024-25. Herring acknowledged that the addition of Antetokounmpo could propel the Rockets to legitimate championship-contender status, possibly putting them in the same category as powerhouse Oklahoma City Thunder.
As part of the hypothetical trade, the Bucks would receive a sizeable haul of young players and draft assets that will help the franchise fast-track the post-Giannis era.
Rockets would receive: Antetokounmpo, Pat Connaughton
Bucks would receive: Alperen Sengun, Cam Whitmore, Reed Sheppard, Jock Landale, 2025 first-round pick (No. 10), 2027 first-round pick, 2028 first-round pick
Rockets Desperately Need Offense
The Rockets pushed the Warriors to seven games in their first-round series, but it was evident that Ime Udoka’s team struggled to score in key moments. Starting shooting guard Jalen Green shot a paltry 37% from the field through the seven games, finishing in single digits in three of the seven games.
Herring argued that the Rockets could desperately use a player like Antetokounmpo, while surrounding him with quality shooters and floor-spacers.
“More than any other club that held home-court advantage to begin the playoffs, No. 2-seeded Houston desperately needs more offense,” he wrote. “Between their bottom-five 3-point attempt rate and Jalen Green’s inconsistency as a scorer — he exploded for 38 points in Game 2 against the Warriors but scored 12 points or fewer in the other six contests during that first-round matchup — the Rockets need to manufacture easier scores.”
Sengun, Bucks’ Next Franchise Star?
Alperen Sengun, a rising All-Star, had trouble scoring over defensive ace Draymond Green in the playoffs, but showed a lot of promise nonetheless. He finished the series averaging 20.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.9 steals at 45% shooting. Many believe the Turkish big man has the potential to become a franchise star in the NBA.
Herring believes Sengun is on the trajectory of a superstar player.
“Yes, Sengun is an All-Star who can be the hub of a decent offense, and he has a higher ceiling as he continues to improve,” he wrote. “But Antetokounmpo, a two-time league MVP in his prime, is elite enough to be the No. 1 option for any club’s offensive attack.
“This might fall right within a sweet spot, depending on where your fandom lies. If you’re a Rockets fan, you likely hate the thought of parting with Sengun. But the need for a big as the offensive hub — even one with the playmaking chops of Sengun — lessens considerably if Giannis joins the roster.”
The Rockets have also been linked to other superstars such as Kevin Durant and Jaylen Brown, who could be available in trades ahead of the 2025-26 season. The common consensus around the league is that the Rockets are just one star player away from entering legitimate title contention.