Ever since the Bucks' season has ended, the questions around Giannis Antetokounmpo's future have flooded the NBA media. After a recent report from ESPN's Shams Charania claimed Antetokounmpo is open to considering a future away from Milwaukee, analysts around the world started looking at potential landing spots for the Bucks' superstar.
Following this, sources claimed the Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs were frontrunners to land Giannis Antetokounmpo in a trade. Now, according to a report from NBC Sports, the Rockets are open to considering trading Alperen Sengun if it means getting Giannis Antetokounmpo to Houston.
The Turkish All-Star had a breakout season last year, where he nearly averaged a double-double. After signing a max extension with the Rockets last summer, Sengun averaged 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 76 games this season. At only 22 years of age, Sengun may be a young star who is promising enough for the Bucks to consider trading Antetokounmpo for.
However, the report also states that the Bucks may prefer a trade package centered around Jalen Green instead of Sengun. It also says Jabari Smith Jr will likely be included in the trade package. However, we believe the Rockets can find a trade for Giannis without giving either of these two young players up.
At age 30, Giannis Antetokounmpo is in the prime of his career. This season, he averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 67 games played. He could be the superstar that the Rockets need to become a true title contender after exiting in the first round of the Playoffs despite a home-court advantage and the No. 2 seed in the season.
What Could A Trade Package For Giannis Antetokounmpo Look Like?
The Rockets currently have a logjam of young talent struggling to get minutes, like Cam Whitmore and Reed Sheppard. Both promising first-round picks have arguably not yet found a place in Ime Udoka's rotation plans. However, considering the leaps taken this season by the likes of Amen Thompson and Tari Eason, maybe it's time for the Rockets to bid farewell to Dillon Brooks in a potential trade for Antetokounmpo.
Therefore, I suggest the following trade package for Giannis Antetokounmpo:
Milwaukee Bucks get: Alperen Sengun, Dillon Brooks, 2025 first-round pick (pick 10 in the upcoming draft), and 2031 first-round pick
Houston Rockets get: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Considering that the Bucks will look to rebuild around Sengun in this scenario, the pick for the upcoming draft can be enticing enough for the Bucks to build their future around, and give up Giannis in the process. Sengun is a proven talent who could flourish with Damian Lillard at the Bucks. He should be valued enough by the Rockets to avoid giving up further assets beyond the upcoming pick.
Including Dillon Brooks in the trade package would help match the salary requirements as well as clear the logjam in the wing talent available for the Rockets. He's a veteran in the league who can help Sengun and the new rookie, whoever they draft with the No. 10 pick, to develop and grow with the Bucks. It's a win-win for both teams.
The ideal starting line-up for the Rockets if they trade for Giannis would look something like:
PG: Fred VanVleet
SG: Jalen Green
SF: Amen Thompson
PF: Jabari Smith Jr
C: Giannis Antetokounmpo
With more rotation minutes for Cam Whitmore, Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason, the Rockets will truly find a balance in growing their young talent and becoming a genuine title contender. Should they give up Sengun for a future looking like this?
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