NBA insider keeps Rockets' Antetokounmpo dreams alive

The Houston Rockets have long been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo in rumors. The latest rumors indicate that he could still be an option for the team.

Those words will shock some readers. The Rockets already acquired Kevin Durant this summer. Could they really make another marquee move?

Who knows? Acquiring Durant is one thing. He's still a star, but he's past his prime. By contrast, Antetokounmpo is an in-prime MVP candidate.

Shams Charania says that his status in Milwaukee remains unclear.

Blockbuster Rockets target may still shake loose

"Sources tell me there's still nothing set in stone about whether Giannis Antetokounmpo will stay in Milwaukee or whether he will be leaving."

- Shams Charania

There are insiders, and then there's Charania. He's foremost NBA insider in the industry. So, we can safely assume that Antetokounmpo's future with the Bucks is murky.

Moreover, when there's this much smoke, there's typically fire. We've been discussing Antetokounmpo leaving the Bucks for quite some time. It feels like an inevitability. Even if that's not true, we can conclude that there's a distinct possibility that Antetokounmpo will leave.

Does that mean he could join the Rockets?

Rockets should be in the mix for Antetokounmpo

For argument's sake, let's assume the Bucks are shopping Antetokounmpo. Let's assume they intend to rebuild if so. What do the Rockets have that they'd be interested in?

Rockets tradeable assets

Alperen Sengun
Amen Thompson
Jabari Smith Jr.
Tari Eason
Reed Sheppard
2027 First-Round Pick (Swap - HOU or BKN)
2027 First-Round Pick (PHX)
2028 First-Round Pick (HOU)
2029 First-Round Pick (Swap - PHX, DAL and/or HOU)
2030 First-Round Pick (HOU)
2031 First-Round Pick (HOU)
2032 First-Round Pick (HOU)

That's a lot of stuff. It's comfortably more than enough to acquire Antetokounmpo, and that's the main point.

That doesn't mean landing him would be the right move.

The Bucks would inevitably start negotiations with one of Sengun and/or Thompson. They won't end there. They'll want one of the Rockets' best young players, another young player, and several of those picks.

That'll already be too rich for some Rockets fans' blood. They'll feel too attached to one of Sengun or Thompson, if not both. Moreover, if the Rockets traded either, the rebuild is over - they might as well start shipping out anyone who doesn't complement Antetokounmpo and Durant.

What if neither was required?

Take another look at those picks. The Rockets can't trade them all. The Stepien rule disallows them from going without first-rounders in consecutive seasons. Here's a hypothetical deal that could have the Rockets landing Antetokounmpo without giving up either Thompson or Sengun:

Houston Rockets receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks receive: Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr., 2027 First-Round Pick (Swap - HOU or BKN), 2028 First-Round Pick (Swap - POR or HOU), 2029 First-Round Pick (Swap - PHX, DAL, and/or HOU), 2030 First-Round Pick (Swap - POR or HOU), 2031 First-Round Pick (HOU), 2032 First-Round Pick (Swap - HOU)

So that's effectively Smith Jr., a veteran they can trade separately, four unprotected firsts (several of which have advantageous swap rights), and two swaps. It should be noted that this deal wouldn't be legal now - both teams would have to wait until next summer when Smith Jr.'s new extension kicks in.

Otherwise, that seems reasonable. It's worth noting that the 2029 pick is two picks. As it stands, the Rockets have the rights to the two best picks of their own, the Mavericks' and the Suns. More broadly, each of those Suns picks is perceived as a high-value asset.

That's enough speculation. The Rockets should pounce on Antetokounmpo if they can keep Sengun and Thompson. Even if they have to move one of them, he's a special enough player to give them pause for thought. We'll have to see how the rest of the summer and potentially even the 2025-26 season go:

But Antetokounmpo is still an option.