Rafael Stone crushes Rockets fans' Giannis Antetokounmpo dreams

Some Houston Rockets fans are still holding out hope for a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. The suggestion has been in the rumor mill for a significant amount of time. General manager Rafael Stone just destroyed those dreams - in the short-term, anyway.

Perhaps the dream was never grounded in reality anyway. Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the NBA. The Bucks will avoid moving him at all costs. The Rockets' interest has been heavily rumored, but the same can't be said for the Bucks' interest in moving Antetokounmpo. It takes two to tango.

Stone says that Bucks general manager Jon Horst isn't interested in dancing.

Rockets' Rafael Stone says no Antetokounmpo deal imminent

"No. I deal well with Jon Horst (Milwaukee's general manager). I really like him. Jon was very clear that they weren’t doing anything. So, that was that."

- Rafael Stone on Giannis Antetokounmpo

Granted, NBA general managers are infamously guarded. Stone may be sending out a smoke screen. It's equally possible that Stone is telling the truth, but Horst is lying to him. He surely doesn't value his friendship more than he values the Bucks' best interests.

Still, this fundamentally makes sense. The Bucks won't trade Antetokounmpo unless he demands a trade. Why would they? They won't be able to get anything in return for him that's as valuable as a perennial MVP candidate in his prime.

Could that be a blessing in disguise for the Rockets?

Rockets must think carefully in any trade negotiations

It feels crazy to say that. If one of the best players in the NBA is available, you want him, right?

Well, the Rockets already made a blockbuster deal this summer. Adding Kevin Durant changes the complexion of this squad. Yet, Durant is not Antetokounmpo.

His age, coupled with the Suns' desperate situation, impacted his trade value. The Rockets got him at a reasonable price. That won't happen with Antetokounmpo:

He'll cost an arm, a leg, and a lot of first-round draft picks.

The Rockets will struggle to make a competitive offer without including one of Alperen Sengun or Amen Thompson. That's the reality when you're talking about an MVP candidate. Antetokounmpo's market will be robust. The Rockets will have enough to acquire him, but it will be costly.

That's not to say it couldn't ever make sense. If the Bucks hold Antetokounmpo through to next summer, and the Rockets are disappointed with the outcome of their 2025-26 season, they could re-explore negotiations. For now, surrounding Durant with one of the deepest rosters in the league and hanging onto premium young talent is the more prudent plan.

No matter how badly some Rockets fans want Antetokounmpo.