Dwight Howard Advises Giannis Not to Leave Bucks amid Rockets, NBA Trade Rumors
Dwight Howard doesn't believe Giannis Antetokounmpo should seek a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks.
Howard addressed Antetokounmpo in a Monday post on social media.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported Monday that Antetokounmpo "is open-minded about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining in Milwaukee or playing elsewhere," and that other teams plan to check in on his availability during the NBA draft combine this week.
The Houston Rockets are one of the teams interested in a potential trade, per The Athletic's Kelly Iko and Sam Amick.
Howard has previously expressed regret about his decision to leave the Kobe Bryant-led Los Angeles Lakers after one season in order to join James Harden and the Rockets as a free agent in 2013.
At the time, the Lakers had just suffered a disappointing first-round exit from the 2013 NBA playoffs, where the franchise would not return until 2020. By then, Howard had returned to help lead the team on a championship run.
Antetokounmpo is similarly dealing with the disappointment of a first-round exit. Unlike Howard, however, he is considering his future with a team he already led to a title.
When asked after the Bucks' Game 5 elimination at the hands of the Indiana Pacers if he felt his team could win another championship, Antetokounmpo was unable to give a definitive answer.
Antetokounmpo meanwhile said in April he would be letting himself down if he didn't win a second ring.
If Antetokounmpo does decide to pursue a trade in hopes of collecting a second ring, the Lakers could be a potential destination for him. ESPN's Brian Windhorst said Monday on Get Up that the Lakers could potentially make an offer.
"Could the Lakers make an offer? Yes. Could Giannis come in and say, 'I am going nowhere but the Lakers?' Yes. And if that happens, that would increase it," Windhorst said.
Windhorst noted, however, that the Lakers and the New York Knicks don't have the draft capital that teams like the Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Brooklyn Nets could put up in potential offers for Antetokounmpo.
Antetokounmpo is currently signed for at least two more seasons on his current contract. He holds a player option for 2027-28 and will be eligible to sign an extension in 2026.
