Rockets Must Make All-In Push for Giannis Antetokounmpo amid Bucks, NBA Trade Rumors
The Houston Rockets headed into the 2025 NBA offseason in dire need of an offensive focal point.
The basketball gods may have just granted that wish.
Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo could seek out scenery change. That's not cemented yet, but things could be trending that way.
"For the first time in his career, Antetokounmpo is open-minded about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining in Milwaukee or playing elsewhere," ESPN's Shams Charania reported.
While Charania was careful to note Antetokounmpo "has not made any firm decisions," it feels a little like he knows a move out of Milwaukee is best—he just has to come to peace with the concept first.
Remember, the Bucks are the only NBA employer Antetokounmpo has known. He has won a championship with the franchise. And he's only a couple of months removed from dismissing the idea of making a trade request.
All of that said, he can read the writing on the wall like any of us. The Bucks were just bounced out of the first round for the third consecutive postseason. Milwaukee's already shaky future grew considerably cloudier when Antetokounmpo's 34-year-old co-star, Damian Lillard, suffered a torn Achilles last month.
The Bucks might be on the road to nowhere. No one would blame Antetokounmpo for wanting out.
And if he's even considering the possibility, he's worth an all-in push from the Rockets.
Under head coach Ime Udoka, they have the defense and the culture needed to join the contending ranks. It's just their offense isn't ready for that type of test. They faced a great defense in their first-round loss to the Golden State Warriors, but that only forgives so much of their struggles. In their four losses, they managed a miserable 93.3 points per game.
They have to find a fix this summer. They have too many assets to keep themselves constrained by this shortcoming. And they are too close to the championship race to do nothing and hope that time and patience fills in all the gaps.
There are other trade candidates to consider, but the idea of adding Antetokounmpo is "seen as the most intriguing within the organization," per The Athletic's Kelly Iko and Sam Amick. That should be the case, as Antetokounmpo holds obvious and enormous appeal to a scoring-starved squad, having averaged 30-plus points each of the past three seasons (on 60-plus percent shooting in the last two).
As for the alternatives, The Athletic tandem noted the Rockets have "significant reservations" about adding Kevin Durant, since he is so far removed from their timeline. They've also "shifted" away from previously "serious interest" in Devin Booker due in part to his struggles this past season. Houston's decision-makers also view Zion Williamson as "too risky" given his availability issues.
Even if Houston didn't have some of those hang-ups, Antetokounmpo would still be the best option. He is an unstoppable offensive force who could also enhance their length, athleticism and overall disruption on defense. He could emphasize their greatest strength while also shoring up their most glaring weakness.
Plus, they should have enough to acquire him without completely tearing their team apart. The trade cost would be significant, obviously, but they could flood the Bucks with picks and prospects while presumably keeping two of Alperen Şengün, Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green. And if the deal cost them, say, Reed Sheppard and Cam Whitmore as some of the sweeteners, they'd still have Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason.
That's a long-winded way of saying the Rockets would have every reason to believe an Antetokounmpo trade would put them firmly in the championship race—if not at the front of the line.
