On Monday, it was reported by ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania that the Milwaukee Bucks were open to taking trade calls for franchise cornerstone Giannis Antetokounmpo. It's just the latest development in a seemingly never-ending saga that has seen trade rumors, shots fired in the media, and more over the last season-plus.
With the rumor mill once again starting to heat up as the Bucks' offseason continues, let's take a look at the team that could make the most sense to pursue a Giannis trade.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are coming off a disappointing 2026 playoff run that ended in just six games against the Los Angeles Lakers. Kevin Durant played in just one game in that series, and the Rockets' offense crashed and burned as a result, scoring under 80 points in their elimination loss in Game 6.
With the assets they've already poured into this group, the Rockets' front office could be growing desperate to make another win-now move, similar to the trade they made for Durant last summer, and Antetokounmpo could be just what they're looking for.
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In return, the Bucks would likely ask for a package centered around Alperen Sengun and draft compensation. While Sengun didn't have a great showing against the Lakers in the playoffs, he's still a talented young big man who has reminded some pundits of Nikola Jokic in his ability to read the floor, as well as his unorthodox touch around the basket.
Trading for a player like Sengun would make a lot more sense for the Bucks than pursuing someone like Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics or Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks, two other rumored trade targets who are each in the back half of the prime years of their career.
Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo would give the Rockets a bona fide superstar to pair with Durant, Amen Thompson, and hopefully, a healthy Fred VanVleet next year, following his injury absence in 2025-26.
If the Bucks are finally serious this time about trading Antetokounmpo, the Rockets will likely be their best bet.
On Monday, it was reported by ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania that the Milwaukee Bucks were open to taking trade calls for franchise cornerstone Giannis Antetokounmpo. It's just the latest development in a seemingly never-ending saga that has seen trade rumors, shots fired in the media, and more over the last season-plus.