5 days Ago By Mike Chiari
NBA league sources are reportedly monitoring the possibility of the Houston Rockets attempting to trade for Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in the future. According to NBA insider Marc Stein , Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant is the Rockets' "dream trade target," but the Suns have been "adamant" about wanting to keep him. Provided the Rockets are unable to make any progress on the KD front, Stein noted that rival teams are "monitoring a potential down-the-road Houston pursuit" of Antetokounmpo.
Giannis, who will turn 30 next month, is in the midst of his 12th NBA season, all of which have been spent with the Bucks. The eight-time All-Star, two-time NBA MVP, one-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, one-time NBA champion and one-time NBA Finals MVP is enjoying another excellent individual season thus far in 2024-25. Through 12 games, he is leading the NBA with 32.
3 points per game to go along with 12.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.
4 steals, while also shooting 60.6 percent from the field. Despite Antetokounmpo's dominance, the Bucks are a highly disappointing 4-9 and could be in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season.
Prior to signing a five-year, $228.2 million maximum contract extension with the Bucks in 2020, there were plenty of rumors and speculation regarding a potential Giannis trade, but he doubled down on his commitment to the franchise last year by signing a three-year, $175.37 million extension through the 2026-27 campaign with a player option for 2027-28.
However, with the aging core of Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez failing to produce winning results so far this season, it is fair to wonder if the Milwaukee front office could soon look to tear things down. Should that happen, the Rockets would be an obvious trade candidate due to the bevy of draft picks and young players they possess. After winning 22 or fewer games in three straight seasons, the Rockets took a big step forward last season by going 41-41.
So far this season, they are 9-4 thanks to up-and-coming players such as Jalen Green, Alperen Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson contributing in a significant way. While the Rockets' future is bright, adding a superstar like Giannis to the roster could accelerate the timeline to contend for a championship in a major way, so it is a move they must at least consider if it becomes a real possibility.
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